Isn't It Ironic - Jacob Powell

I’m thinking of a song. Let’s see if you can guess it by some of the lyrics,
“Isn't it ironic ... don't you think

It's like rain on your wedding day
It's a free ride when you've already paid
It's the good advice that you just didn't take
Who would've thought ... it figures”

Maybe you know, or maybe you are just lost. The artist is Alanis Morissette, and the song title is, “Ironic.” What does this have to do with purity? As you may have already guessed, this is my week to share the devotional thoughts. The times spent in preparation have been so encouraging and challenging. I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to share during this particular week. But, here is the irony. Over the past few days, I have discovered a rare and horrible truth: I have the shingles. Don’t worry; you can’t contract them by reading this post. I am 26, and have the shingles. Here’s to stress, right?

Ironically enough though, the bible talks about such skin conditions. Consider this passage from Leviticus, “Any person with a serious skin disease must wear torn clothes, leave his hair loose and un-brushed, cover his upper lip, and cry out, Unclean! Unclean!' As long as anyone has the sores, that one continues to be ritually unclean. That person must live alone; he or she must live outside the camp” (13:45-46). If you could see me, you would notice right away that my hair is not brushed. I am not so sure about the “torn clothes” bit, since I am broke as it is, and messing up my good clothes would result in buying more later on. “Covering” my upper lip sounds interesting. Do I need to get one of those mouth guards that look like adult sized pacifiers? Or, maybe I should just walk around with my bottom lip covering my upper lip. But try doing that and yelling “Unclean, unclean!” It more resembles a comedic sound from someone like Jim Carry, than a serious social warning. The last stipulation scares me the most. Do I really need to live by myself? I am not sure that Holly Springs has a cave that is designated for those “unclean”. So, maybe I will take up residence in our crawl space. It’s nice enough; even has a light bulb so I can see what is crawling over my body at night. Who would’ve thought that impurity produces loneliness? Being away from my family seems like such a lonely, undesirable thing. And yet, if I lived in a different place, in a different time, I would be experiencing just that – loneliness.

The Lepers described in Luke didn’t ask for their skin condition. It just happened to them. But I believe that it paints a great picture of the results of impurity. When we are living outside of the natural purity that God intends for us, we separate ourselves. Once again, in Genesis, the man and woman ate of the “tree” and first noticed that they were naked, became ashamed, and hid from God. Impurity causes separation, and as a result we cover our actions with layers of impurity. Luke 17:11-19 tells a story of ten men with leprosy that approached Jesus, and asked for mercy. Keep in mind that they were lonely - isolated from ‘healthy’ family and peers. Jesus knew that by interacting with the leper’s, he risked being unclean, in accordance with the Jewish law. But, he stops and helps them anyway. In this story, the only man to give Jesus thanks and praise for being healed was a Samaritan – an outsider. Jesus did not play favorites. He restored community and health to those that were sick, regardless of religious affiliation. Jesus Restores. Do you or someone you know need restoration? What part are you going to play to ensure that those that are unclean are cared for and restored?

“Restore our hearts today, oh Lord. Have mercy on us. Bring us community when we are lonely and health when we are sick. May we hear the words today, “Get up. On your way. Your faith has healed and saved you." Amen.”