THE THEME OF THIS DEVOTION IS:
YESHUA IS THE HEALER OF “LEPROSY” THROUGH FORGIVENESS OF SINS.
Leviticus chapters 13-15 deal with the law of Tzaraat (commonly translated “leprosy” but actually untranslatable, according to Orthodox interpretation). All the varieties of this skin disorder have to do with white patches on the skin.
The detail of this disease is very intricate. The rabbis say that it is actually a physical manifestation of the sin of slander and several secondary sins against one’s fellow. The root sin is selfishness and uncaring conduct toward one’s neighbor.
The destructive force of the tongue results in the leper being afflicted in such a way as to isolate him from his fellow man in order that he come to repentance and work his way back into human society.
This is a radical interpretation to sickness. Yet Yeshua taught a similar thing in the matter of the healing of the man afflicted with palsy. (Mark 2) Jesus said to him, “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.” (v. 5) Then he said to him, “Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.” (v. 11) The connection between sin and sickness is made clear here. The same connection is made in James 5:15, “And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the LORD shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”
May the LORD grant to me and to each of us that the cleansing of our tongues may heal us from many afflictions. May the teachings of our LORD in the Sermon on the Mount concerning evil use of the tongue and the spirit of judging and cursing deliver me and each of us from the destructive effects of our own devices. B’shem Yeshua, Amen.
