Verse for Meditation:

 “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1Jn 1: 8, 9).

Sermon

The Bible says that our sanctification is God’s will (1 Thess. 4:3). Without Holliness no one can see God (Heb. 12:154). God’s vision is possible only to those who are pure in heart (Matt. 5:8). The thoughts of forgiveness of sin and sanctification are found from the Old Testament times - “In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness” (Zec. 13:1). At many places in the Psalms we read about the cleaning that the Lord is going to do. “And He will redeem Israel from all his iniquities” (Ps. 130:8). Our need of the hour is a request just as the leper who came and knelt before Jesus for healing or cleansing. There was no other disease considered so pathetic like leprosy during the New Testament times. Therefore, Jesus gave a ministry to the Apostles saying “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers”. (Matt. 10:8). We could see at least 3 factors where Jesus heals the leper in Mk. 1:40-45.

• According to the law of the Old Testament a leper is not allowed to appear in the public (Lev. 13, 14). But Jesus compassionately looks into his need.
• Leprosy is not above the power of God. The infectious nature of this leper will never be transferred to God; whereas the Healing power of God will transform and cleanse the leper.
• As one marginalized, who is a leper being healed, Jesus delivers him and uplifts him to have acquired the status in the society asked him to observe the prescribed religious rituals. The mercy, power and knowledge of Jesus are seen equally here. The cleansing nature of Jesus should be revealed in us also. Can we come forward to give the touch of compassion to the people who are isolated due to diseases like AIDS?

    Jesus asks the healed leper not to tell about it to others but at the same time asked him to present himself to the priest for examination and do the restitution and offering according to the Mosaic Law for their evidence. Jesus never did miracles to attract people towards himself. Though he gave fish and bread, he admonished those who came only for food (Jn. 6:26, 17). Mark says very explicitly that the primary aim of Jesus was to preach the gospel of the kingdom of God and healing and other matters were of less importance (Mk. 1:14; 1:38; 1:43,44). Jesus “sternly” warned him or so strangely wared him. Though he publicized the healing even after this warning with a good purpose, it affected Jesus adversely, that he had to dwell in the desert places for sometime (Mk. 1:45). This proves that some do such things with good purpose but at times it turns out to be a hindrance in the ministry. The ability of Jesus to cleanse is immense. The healing offered to the leper is only one sign of it. Those who received cleansing from the Lord should engage themselves in cleansing others, while giving a touch of love and compassion.
    Almost everybody likes to live a holy life. An 8th standard student once asked. How can I live a holy life?. The spiritual movements in him are so wonderful. But this question is not of one person. All people want to live better than what they are now. Saint Paul says this is the will of God about every one. “For this is the will of God even your sanctification” (1 Thes. 4:3). Because without sanctification no one can see God (Heb. 12:14). But it is a challenge for a man who lives in a society where we love inducements and injustice. Therefore, we are encouraged to depend on God who is able to give answers to all our difficult questions.

1. Blood of Jesus

The Holy Bible declares powerfully that human race is sanctified only through the blood of Jesus. The Bible says: “the blood of Jesus will cleanse you from all sins” (1Jn. 1:7). By this unique sacrifice, Jesus has made perfect sanctification for ever- (Heb. 10:14). And also the Bible says: “the blood of Jesus will sanctify our conscience” (Heb. 9:14), “you will have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” and “that he might sanctify the people through his own blood, suffered without the gate” (Heb. 13:12). When a person prays for the forgiveness of sin by faith which was brought through the blood of Christ, the forgiveness given to him is eternal.
 This is received only through the utmost Grace of God alone. The blood of Jesus was dripping through his skin like sweat as he was praying in the Garden of Gathsamene before his crucifixion. Thus, He shed his blood from Gathsamene to the Mount of Calvary. Through the cross we find the vicarious suffering of Jesus Christ by his sacrificial act of giving even the last drop of blood for us. He is despised and rejected. …borne our griefs and carried our sorrows wounded for our transgressions bruised for our. ..with his stripes we are healed” (Is. 53:3-5). To be apt to the words of Prophet Isaiah He shed His sinless blood for humanity. The sanctification we receive, when we believe in God’s plan of Salvation, is the permanent sanctification.

2. The Spirit of Jesus

Saint Paul teaches, “but you are washed, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God (1 Cor. 6:11), we are sanctified by Jesus that is to say by the Spirit of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 1:2) God has given the Holy Spirit to sanctify the  unholy man. “…But if any man hath not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his” (Rom. 8:9).
In these last days, as we receive the Holy Spirit that the Lord will shower upon everybody and live according to the guidance of the spirit, we are entering into holiness. For this reason God has shared his spirit to the church in the first century. God’s promise of this spirit to all men in the last days is the prophetic word (Jos. 2:28; Acts 2:17; Is. 28:2). After the days of Pentecost the same spirit had been shared to men at various occasions. At Samaria (Acts 8: 14-17), at the house Cornelius (Acts 10:44-48), to the disciples of John the Baptist (Acts 19:1-6) and so on. Therefore the book of the ‘Acts of the Apostles’ is called by some as “the acts of the Holy Spirit”. Powerful acts of the Spirit of God has been experienced in those days. A spirit filled life leads a man towards Holiness.

 
3. The words of Jesus

Continuous mediation of the word of God, especially the words of Jesus Sanctifies’ (Jn 15: 3). Jesus prays for the disciples “Sanctify them with truth”. Word of God is like the bathe one takes in water (Eph. 6:26). Therefore the Psalmist says when the word of God is kept in the heart one is prevented from doing sin (Ps. 119:11). We should read the word of God. (Deut. 6:6-8). Reading is not enough; we should study the word of God also. Studying is not enough; we should meditate upon the word of God. Meditating is not enough; but one should confess the word by the mouth. It is not enough to confess but one should make it practical (Jos. 1:8, James 1:22, 23). Thus, our ongoing commitment to the word of God will lead us every day in sanctification. God’s word leads us in the right path (Ps. 119: 105).

4. Prayer

We are sanctified through the word of God and prayer (1Time. 4:5). Personal prayer is inevitable for a sanctified life. A man of God once told, “A person who prays for half an hour and reads the word of God for half an hour will sustain in his faith without falling apart. We talk to God through prayer and God speaks to us through the word of God. A person’s communication with God becomes perfect as he reads the word of God and prays. The devil will shiver and the hell will set at fear before a person who leads such a holy life. The world is waiting for such holy people.

5. Chastisements

God sometimes punishes us for our good, to attain His glory. The word of God says, “For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit that we might be partakers of his holiness” (Heb. 12:10). Suffering brings patience and patience brings holiness. This is the teaching of the word of God (Rom 5:3). Each and every chastisement from the Lord will help us to correct ourselves and walk further towards Holiness. So the Psalmist also says, “Before I was afflicted I went astray but now have I kept thy word” (Ps. 119: 69-71).

Promises

God is always ready to act the best way for those who live in Holiness. God spoke to the people of Israel through Joshua before they crossed the river Jordan. “Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you” (Jos. 3:5). In the context when Achan committed sin, God said to Joshua the same way, “Up, sanctify the people and say Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow”. There is an accused thing in the midst of the thee O Israel, thou cannot stand before thine enemies until you take away the accused thing from among you” (Jos. 7:13). Again it is repeated, “Sanctify yourselves to see God’s wonders” (Num. 7:18). See another powerful word from the Lord. “For the Lord thy God walked in the midst of the camp, to deliver thee, and to give up thine enemies before thee, therefore, shall thy camp be  holy, that he see no unclean thing with thee and turn away from thee” (Deut. 23:14). Unholy men will defeat the presence of God. But Holy men will bring the presence of God and that will create the paradise of miracles. May the Lord grant us a heart to discern the will of God and live accordingly.

O happy day that fixed by choice
On thee my savior and my God!
Well, may this glowing heart rejoice
And tell its raptures all aboard.
Happy Day, happy day when Jesus washed my sins away


Prayer

Merciful God, Who has opened a fountain for us to be cleansed from our sins and impurities, We pray that, with Your unfailing love, cleanse us, redeem us and make us holy through the sacrifice of Your Son, So that we may no more walk in darkness, but light and have fellowship with You and one another. Through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, One God, now and forever more. Amen.

•  On a Monday morning the priest saw the carcass of a donkey lying in front of the Church. He informed the matter to the village and municipal authorities. But no one responded. Finally he called the local police station through phone. The police inspector who was annoyed by the call replied, “Why are you calling us? It is your duty to bury the dead”. After a minute of silence the priest replied, “Yes sir it is our duty to bury the dead but we inform the parents or close relatives of the dead before we bury”.
•  “A father who was a catholic believer told his son, “Son, I have made a vow that I would make you a catholic priest”. Son replied “Dear dad, I too have pledged when I was in the 8th standard that I would make my son a priest”.