Accept One Another: Devotions From Time of GraceSample

Lepers' Banquet

The Northern Kingdom's capital, Samaria, was under a ruthless and relentless siege by the invading Syrian army. The people were starving. Animal heads and seedpods were fetching a high price from people who were desperate to eat something. Anything. The prophet Elisha was calm, assuring people the famine would soon be over. Sure enough, just before dusk the Lord caused the invaders to hear the imaginary sounds of an even greater army from Egypt. They fled for their lives, leaving their clothes, money, and food.

People with leprosy have nothing and, therefore, nothing to lose. A small band of them from Samaria slipped outside the walls and discovered the vacant camp. They ate their fill and made several plunder trips before a generous thought occurred to them and gave them pause: "We're not doing right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves" (2 Kings 7:9).

We Christians are only lucky lepers who have discovered that the siege of death has been lifted and have had the chance to eat our fill of the gospel. We are forgiven and immortal through faith in our Savior Jesus! This is a day of good news. We must not keep it to ourselves.