As we read the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, it is crystal clear that Jesus wasn’t afraid of terminal diseases. In ancient Israel, however, if you became leprous, you would instantly and permanently lose your lovely wife, your dear family, and everyone else. From that moment on, and for the rest of your days, you were in a sickly and impoverished exile.

We cringe to think about such physical isolation and ostracization, forgetting that’s what people have done with many diseases from pre-historic times until this very day. If what you have is deadly and highly contagious, you’re isolated until you’re cured. It’s true every time tuberculosis strikes a region. It’s true every time Ebola breaks out. You’re isolated until you’re demonstrably better and cured...or deceased.

A couple of years ago I went to the hospital and they asked me, “Have you been in a western African nation within the past 21 days?”  I knew the question was coming and I knew I had to say “Yes,” because I had been.  And a fear suddenly gripped me at their response.  They were momentarily shocked and didn’t know what to say to me, but I know what was in their hearts.  They just wanted me to go away. 

Sin is this kind of disease.  Worse! Yet because Christ has forgiven us we can trust Him and thank God daily for His generosity and love.  What do we have to fear?  Jesus wasn’t afraid of terminal diseases; He came to cure them.

This is Andrew Palau.