ALPHA MAAMA (A.M.)

Tu’apulelulu Ma’asi 2, 2023

Sin's Skin Story

Ko e talanoa ‘o e angahala ‘a e kili

EXODUS 4:6-7

AGAIN, THE LORD SAID TO HIM, "PUT YOUR HAND INSIDE AND WHEN HE TOOK IT OUT, BEHOLD, HIS HAND WAS YOUR CLOAK." AND HE PUT HIS HAND INSIDE HIS CLOAK, LEPROUS LIKE SNOW. THEN GOD SAID, "PUT YOUR HAND BACK INSIDE YOUR CLOAK." SO HE PUT HIS HAND BACK INSIDE HIS CLOAK, AND WHEN HE TOOK IT OUT, BEHOLD, IT WAS RESTORED LIKE THE REST OF HIS FLESH.

EXODUS 4:6-7

Pea fai atu ‘e Sihova ‘ene folofola kiate ia, Ke ke ‘ai mu‘a ho nima ki ho kona. Pea ne ‘ai hono nima ki hono kona: pea ‘i he‘ene to‘o mai, tā kuo kilia hono nima hangē ko e sinou. 7 Pea ne folofola mai, Toe ‘ai ho nima ki ho kona. (Pea ne toe ‘ai hono nima ki hono kona, pea ‘i he‘ene to‘o mai, tā kuo liliu ‘o hangē ko hono kili.)

Though usually translated "leprosy," the word tzra'at is not Hansen's disease. True leprosy is not curable, but biblical tzra'at is. Moreover, tzra'at not only is found on skin but has effects on clothing and houses (Lev. 13-14). Whatever it was - perhaps "skin disease" is the best translation - its effects were unwelcome. Among the Israelites, those who had it were forced to live alone, unclean, "outside the camp" (Lev. 13:46). A few times, it was divine punishment, such as Miriam, Uzziah, and Gehazi suffered. Mostly, having tzra'at simply meant your skin told the tale of sin's impact on the world. It betokened the gradual decay of a body destined for the grave.

Jesus welcomed, cleansed, and even touched those with real leprosy (Matt. 8:3). In so doing, he demonstrated the depths of his mercy in going to those "outside the camp." He came for all, that all might be made clean, whole, and beloved in him, with the promise of resurrection to come.

Jesus, who forgives all our iniquity, who heals all our diseases, have mercy on us.