Many people today wear yellow wristbands which have the word “livestrong” inscribed upon them. These bands are sold to raise funds for the Lance Armstrong Foundation which provides help to people suffering from cancer. The wearer is signifying his or her personal battle with cancer or their support for someone they love who is or was fighting that battle.

The only close blood relative I have that I know has had cancer is my Aunt Betty, my mother’s sister, who had breast cancer that was detected very early and successfully treated. Other families, indeed other individuals, seem to be constantly waging war with this dread disease. It can be difficult to visit people who are not only ill, but whose illness is evidenced by their appearance. To see a lovely young girl with pale skin, sunken eyes, and a bald head fills us with compassion and fear simultaneously.

In the time of Christ, perhaps the most dreaded disease was leprosy. While the term “leprosy” was used to cover a variety of afflictions, it always meant that the effects of the disease could be seen on the skin of the afflicted. There were enormous ramifications socially as well as physically associated with leprosy. If it really was leprosy, the mortality rate was extremely high. Even if it was just another skin disease they called leprosy, it meant that you were not fit to associate with mainstream society. Under the Old Law, lepers were not only to avoid other people, but were to shout “Unclean! Unclean!” if they saw anyone approaching them. Thus, the plight of the leper was so pathetic, we still refer to anyone who is in a challenging position that has resulted in their isolation as a “social leper.”

We know Jesus healed a large number of people with a wide variety of maladies. However, His healing of lepers is a wonderful example of how He heals us on so many levels of our lives. Healing a leper alleviated their intense suffering, restored them to society, and allowed them to return to their families. When anyone turns their life over to Christ spiritually, they not only receive forgiveness of their sins but also assurance that they are loved, a new direction for their lives, and a new perspective on the world.

However, some people receive even more. They find the strength make difficult changes in their behavior, restoration of damaged relationships, greater emotional health, and perhaps even improved physical health. While there are many shared aspects to becoming a Christian, it is also a thoroughly personal experience as well. No two people are in exactly the same situation when they put on Christ so no two people have exactly the same relationship with Him.

Like a really good doctor, Jesus examines us thoroughly and finds what is truly ailing us. Sin is always the disease the symptoms vary from patient to patient. Sometimes Jesus not only cures the disease but removes all of the symptoms and scars. Other times, however, we must deal with certain ramifications of our sin even after it has been forgiven.

Just as someone cured of cancer may lose an arm or have scars from surgeries, sin may leave us less than whole after it has been removed. We can look at these reminders of our former affliction in two ways: we can feel sorry for ourselves and thus continue to be victims or we can see them as reminders not just of our former condition but the healing we received.

Shirley Cook is recovering from minor surgery.

Those with recent losses—Family and friends of Joel Farinas

Tracee & Matt Health for Tracee and employment for Matt.

Bonita Hutchins sister of Betty Brumfield,

Doran Hougham, Bone Cancer

Albert Lee Wolford, Dale Loofburrow, Judy Lundgren’s mother, Tina Vest and her husband for his diabetes. Jennifer Walden, Don Micheauy, Ruth Colgrove, Ford Vest, farther-in-law of Tina Vest,

Tina Vest, Frank Hermsen health and spiritual strength and guidance.

Steve Hogan, Bridgette's father, Joshua Richards, Bromerick Richards, Teresa Petta, Desri Crawford health.

Please remember all of the young people with ties to this congregation serving in our nation’s armed forces.