Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
About GFA
Ministries
Free Resources
Social Media
- Facebook
- Instagram
- Pinterest
- Twitter
- Youtube
Archives
FREE NEWSLETTER

Home
Evangelical
People with Leprosy Are Not Cursed, Nor Unclean, They Are Loved

People with Leprosy Are Not Cursed, Nor Unclean, They Are Loved

Last updated on: November 12, 2022 at 10:57 am by GFA Staff Writer

People with Leprosy Are Not Cursed, Nor Unclean, They Are Loved 2022-11-12T10:57:40+00:00 GFA Staff Writer

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

“And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Lord if You are willing, You can make me clean.’ Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” — Matthew 8:2–3 Leprosy. In many parts of the world, the very word brings with it a sense of fear. In the West however, leprosy cases are few and far between. Medicine has evolved to the point where if the disease is caught early enough, it can be cured. In ancient times, however, those afflicted with leprosy had but one hope: for the disease to die out on its own.

Tapan lives in a leprosy colony with his wife and daughter-in-law.

The afflicted were cast out of their homes, often never to be seen again. When Jesus walked the earth, performing miracles and healing the sick, a man riddled with leprosy disregarded the law and ventured out from his self-exile. He put all his trust in Jesus, fully believing He could heal him. What an enormous amount of faith to have!

I have read many reports and stories of men and women in Asia stricken with leprosy. So many are cast out, reviled and left to die; though they suffer, they endure. Many have never heard of Jesus, yet through Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported workers, they find hope, value and healing in the name of God.

Tapan and Manita’s Story

One story I am reminded of is that of a man and wife who, despite their ailment, found the Lord. Tapan and his wife, Manita, have leprosy. Both husband and wife, fearing prejudice, fled to a colony where others afflicted with leprosy live. There, they, along with other families, lived in seclusion and despair.

But hope arrived in the form of four Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported Sisters of Compassion. These young women made it their calling to serve among the afflicted, like Tapan and Manita. They began ministering to the beleaguered and ailing families. Tending to open wounds, administering medical treatment and teaching the patients how to avoid injury, the sisters spread love and comfort throughout the colony.

Eventually, the sisters came upon Tapan and his family. In addition to the leprosy affecting his body, Tapan also suffered from heart problems. After much fasting and prayer from the sisters, Tapan’s heart was completely healed! Afterwards, the couple opened their hearts to God’s love.

Thousands More Need God’s Love

Tapan and Manita’s story is but one among thousands of others. Many more suffer, with no hope or comfort. However, Gospel for Asia (GFA)-supported workers, like these Sisters of Compassion, toil endlessly to ensure many more are brought the love of God.

Leprosy patients are not “unclean;” they are not “cursed.” Though they may have leprosy, they are loved all the same.

Source: Gospel for Asia Reports, When Love Intersects Shame and Pain

Image Source: Gospel for Asia, Photo of the Day

Click here, to read more blogs on Patheos from Gospel for Asia.

Go here to know more about Gospel for Asia: Facebook | Sourcewatch | Flickr | GFA | Lawsuit

Humanitarian Services

Sisters of Compassion

Previous Post

March 25, 2019

Dying of Thirst: The Global Pure Water Crisis (#3 by Gospel for Asia)

Next Post

April 6, 2019 Is There Really Hope in Gospel for Asia's Bridge of Hope Centers?

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category About Gospel for Asia Bishop Daniel Children's Education Clean Water Daniel Yohannan Disaster Relief GFA World Guest Writer Humanitarian Services Inspiration Leprosy Medical Ministry Mission Support Team Modern Slavery National Missions Poverty Alleviation Powerful Prayer School of Discipleship Special Report Spiritual Growth Uncategorized Women's Issues

Select a Month April 2026 March 2026 December 2025 September 2025 June 2025 May 2025 March 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does "Satan" mean in Hebrew?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Destroyer Evil One Deceiver Adversary