Week 11: Matt 26:6

It is amazing how much the smallest verses of scripture can influence us. Matthew 26:6 reads: "Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper," and that's all it says. Is it really possible to gain something from that? It's not even a full sentence. I think it is possible. When we read this verse in class our professor pointed out that Simon was no longer a leper, he had already been healed, and yet he still is given the title of leper. This verse teaches us about the long lasting effects of previous parts of our lives. We may go through the healing process of repentance and be completely whole in God's eye but those around us may not recognize this change in us. We may still be viewed as a "leper" among our peers but we have to recognize that this isn't actually a defining characteristic of us and learn to look past it in ourselves. Simon once was a leper but was healed through Christ and because of this will one day become just Simon even if he is always considered a leper during this life. We must have faith in how God views us and not worry about what those around us may think.