September 4

Morning

I will; be thou clean. — Mark 1:41

Primeval darkness heard the Almighty command, “let there be light!” and straightway light was, and the Word of the Lord Jesus is equal in majesty to that ancient word of power. Redemption like Creation has its word of might. Jesus speaks and it is done. Leprosy yielded to no human remedies but it fled at once at the Lord’s “I am willing.” The disease exhibited no hopeful signs or tokens of recovery, nature contributed nothing to its own healing but the unaided Word of Jesus effected the entire work on the spot and forever!

The sinner is in a plight more miserable than the leper; let him imitate his example and go to Jesus, “begging to be healed.” Let him exercise what little faith he has, even though it should go no further than “Lord, if you will—you can make me clean”; and there need be no doubt as to the result of the application. Jesus heals all who come, and casts out none.

In reading the narrative in which our morning’s text occurs, it is worthy of devout notice, that Jesus touched the leper. This unclean person had broken through the regulations of the ceremonial law and pressed into the house but Jesus so far from chiding him, broke through the law Himself in order to meet him. He made an interchange with the leper, for while He cleansed him, He contracted by that touch—a Levitical defilement. Even so Jesus Christ was made sin for us, although in Himself He knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. O that poor sinners would go to Jesus, believing in the power of His blessed substitutionary work, and they would soon learn the power of His gracious touch. That hand which multiplied the loaves, which saved sinking Peter, which upholds afflicted saints, which crowns believers—that same hand will touch every seeking sinner, and in a moment make him clean! The love of Jesus is the source of salvation. He loves, He looks, He touches us—WE LIVE!

Evening

Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have. — Lev 19:36

Weights, and scales, and measures—were to be all according to the standard of justice.

Surely no Christian will need to be reminded of this in his business, for if justice were banished from all the world beside—it should find a shelter in true Christian hearts!

There are, however, other scales and balances which weigh moral and spiritual things and these often need examining. We will call in the Judge right now.

Those scales in which we weigh our own and other men’s characters—are they quite accurate? Do we not turn our own ounces of goodness—into pounds; and other people’s pounds of excellence—into ounces? See to just weights and measures here, Christian!

Those scales in which we measure our trials and troubles—are they according to standard? Paul, who had far more to suffer than we have—called his afflictions light. Yet we often consider our afflictions to be heavy! Surely something must be amiss with the scales! We must see to this matter, lest we get reported to the court above, for unjust dealing!

Those scales with which we measure our beliefs—are they quite fair? The precepts and doctrines should have the same weight with us as the promises—no more and no less! With many, one scale or the other is unfairly weighted. It is a grand matter to give just measure in God’s truths. Christian, be careful here!

Those scales in which we estimate our obligations and responsibilities look rather small. When a rich man gives no more to the cause of God, than the poor contribute—is that an honest weight, an honest measure, a just balance?

Reader, we might lengthen the list but we prefer to leave it as your day’s work to find out and destroy all unjust scales, balances, weights, and measures!