We have all felt the pull. That quiet temptation to trust ourselves more than God, to reach for things He never intended for us.
Like Adam and Eve, we often choose sin instead of holiness, knowledge over intimacy with Jesus, and pride over humility (Genesis 3:5). Even when we do not see it, sin lingers close, waiting for a chance to take hold of our hearts (Genesis 4:7).
Yet God, in His mercy, has not left us without hope. He offers a way back to Himself. And it all begins with how we see Jesus. Do we truly believe He is worthy?
To help us reflect on this, let us step into the story of the leper.
His healing invites us to consider something deeper within our own hearts.
“Go and offer the gift Moses commanded.”
These were Jesus’ words to the man He had just cleansed, calling him to obey the law concerning a leper’s restoration
(Leviticus 14).
Why did this matter?
His obedience marked a new beginning. After his healing, the man would have washed his clothes, shaved off all his hair, and entered a seven-day period of waiting.
On the seventh day, he would have shaved again and washed himself once more (Leviticus 14:9). Then, on the eighth day, a lamb without blemish was to be offered as a sacrifice.
The healing required a sacrifice. The law made it clear. A lamb’s blood had to be shed before the healed man could be presented before the Lord (Leviticus 14:11).
The blood of that lamb would have been placed on his right ear, right thumb, and right big toe. Only after the blood was applied could the oil be placed over it and finally upon the head of the restored man.
A Royal Priesthood
First Peter 2:9 reminds us that we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and God’s special possession, called to declare the praises of Him who brought us out of darkness and into His wonderful light.
The law of the leper pointed forward to the day when we would be cleansed from sin and brought into God’s royal priesthood. The ritual mirrored the ceremony given to priests when the blood was applied (Leviticus 8).
Restoration always made way for consecration.
But what happened next?
In Mark 1, Jesus gave the man a clear instruction.
“See that you tell no one. Go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
Yet the man went out and began to spread the news everywhere, telling his story far and wide (Mark 1:44-45).
Of course, he was overjoyed. Leprosy was a death sentence, rarely, if ever, cured. In one moment, his life was completely changed. He was no longer an outcast. His miracle stirred joy.
But the miracle also called him into a new way of life. The seven days of waiting, the washing and shaving, the sacrifice — these marked a new birth. A new creation. No one could go through such pain, such isolation, and emerge unchanged.
A Moment of Reflection
The price of sin is death (Romans 6:23). The leper was reminded that the cost of his freedom was the life of an innocent lamb.
Those seven days set apart for reflection and repentance were a living picture. They pointed to the reality that once we reenter the world, restored by God, we come back as new creatures, washed clean by grace.
The past lies behind us. Now consecrated for the Lord’s purpose, we submit our lives to Him. We no longer live for ourselves, but for Christ who lives within us (Galatians 2:20).
He poured out His life unto death. He was counted among the transgressors. He bore the sin of many and made intercession for us (Isaiah 53:12).
Friend, someone had to pay the price for our sin.
And it was not us.
Christ is Worthy
After receiving grace, let us slow down and sit in His presence. Let us consider His holiness. Have we ever, with open hands, asked God to purify us, as David did?
“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:7-10)
So we must ask ourselves:
Do I consider Christ worthy of leaving everything behind?
Is Jesus worthy of any pain I may suffer for His name?
Do I count Him, my Lord and Friend, worthy of giving up the fleeting pleasures of sin?
Is He truly worthy?
God set us free by pouring out His wrath on Jesus
(Lamentations 3; Isaiah 53:10).
May our hearts remain soft toward the sufferings of Christ. He gave everything for us. In response to His great love, may we surrender all and lift our hearts in song:
“Jesus, You are worthy.”
Ibex Ascending 
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