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Some diseases are frightening…such as Ebola. In ancient Israel, you could be wealthy, well-married, with a house full of children and yet...if you became leprous, poof! You instantly and permanently lost your lovely wife, your dear family, your luxurious villa, and the blessing and well-being of everyone else you knew and loved. In Bible times, among the Jewish people, few diseases provoked more fear than leprosy. You not only lost everyone and everything, but you eventually became disfigured and hideous. Yet Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record the story of a leprous man who runs up to Jesus, falls on his face, and humbly yet desperately begs Jesus to heal him. The disciples cringe, yet Jesus isn’t afraid of lepers. Instead, Jesus touches the leper. He heals him. He sends him ahead to testify to the priests and Levites: “Look, I’ve been healed. I can enter the Temple and offer my sacrifices with joy and singing. I can live with my wife and family again. Let’s sacrifice the spotless lamb and have a feast!” Let’s never doubt the Lord’s love for the unlovable. When you see someone and your first response is to cringe, consider showing them God’s love. This is Andrew Palau.