Clean Man cont.

REMEMBER THIS IS IN SNIPPETS-

The sacrifice was finished and Bartholomew turned and ran for the gate to the outer court. As he went through the gate his precious wife was waiting for him She put the littlest one on the ground and as Bartholomew drew close she threw herself into his arms. He buried his head in her hair and picking her up from the ground he spoke into her ear, "I'm clean, I'm clean and I will never leave you again". With their tears mingling together on their faces Bartholomew gathered up both children in his arms. His wife stood amazed and had forgotten how strong her man really was.

With both children in his arms the oldest child spoke words his heart melted over, "Daddy, Daddy we love you and we missed you so much. Oh Daddy hold onto us and promise never to leave us again." With his face wet with tears and his voice choking he told his wife and children that Jesus made him better. That, Jesus is a man sent to us from the Lord Jehovah to rescue his people.

Bartholomew and his family went home. Each day he rejoiced for the miracle Jesus gave to him. He knew it was so much more than clean skin that was his gift. His heart was filled with hope and in his soul he knew that the Lord Jehovah cared for his people. He thanked the Lord each day for his children and his lovely wife. He was so happy to wake before the dawn and look at his wife, watch her breathe and feel her warmth. He promised himself that he would never forget what it was like to be alone, sleep on the ground and shiver in the cold.

Clean Man cont.

As Bartholomew ran down the street he was smiling and soon he was laughing. His laughter turned into a spirit written psalm of praise. His words following him down the street, "I'm clean, I'm clean, and my skin is as pure as the day the Lord brought me forth from the womb". He was running down the street that led to the temple. The Great Temple, Herod's temple was just minutes away and so was his freedom and his family. In the outer court he would have to but the required sacrifice. How would he find the money to buy the two turtle doves that were required of the poor? He knew that some how the Lord Jehovah would provide for him. If Jesus the Man from God had healed him then there would be friend or relative who would help him with the meager coins.

As Bartholomew headed for the temple his wife was nearing the gate. As she approached one of the men addressed her. With her head covered and avoiding eye contact she listened as the man told her that the leper was healed and running to the temple. With hope filling her heart she turned from the elderly man and headed for the temple. The two children, one held close and one held by the hand didn't slow her as the pounding of her heart was from excitement and not exertion.

The Clean Man entered the outer court of the Great Temple. Now the song was in his heart and not on his lips as he looked for a friend or family member to help him with the coins. The court yard was filled with people and he knew that he still needed to keep his distance and not draw attention to his condition. His skin was pure and clean but his robes were tattered and filthy. From a distance he heard a voice as sweet as the Jasmine in the summer. It was the voice of his precious wife calling out to him. He turned to see her running to him, one of his precious ones in her arms and the other by the hand. Within cubits of embracing Bartholomew stopped. He told his wife that first he must go to the priest and make the sacrifice. He didn't want any bystander to accuse him of not keeping the law. Within seconds seconds his wife reached into her inner robe and produced two coins. She set them on the ground in front of her and Bartholomew bent down, picking them up he clutched them tightly knowing they were the most precious two coins he ever held onto.

Clean Man cont.

She hurried into her house and came back out the door in mere seconds. She had one of her children by the hand and the littlest one she had scooped up into her arms as his little feetcould not move fast enough. She ran past the crowd with her precious children talking about their daddy and Jesus. She ran down the dusty road as fast as she could. Her mind was flooded with questions and images. Could it be real? Could my husband be clean? Would a man from God really care enough about my husband to touch his body? As she ran she envisioned Bartholomew standing clean and strong. Tears ran down her face and onto the hand of the little one that clung to her with his face nuzzled into her neck.

Even as Bartholomew's wife was racing to meet him he was still standing. He looked as if he was in a trance, or a dream waiting to wake up. Wake up to the leprosy covering his body. But it wasn't a dream and he wasn't in a trance. As he looked at the clean skin he knew what he must do. The Law of Moses was very specific about leprosy and those who were healed. He had to show himself to the priest and present a sacrifice as the law demanded. As he headed to the gate his pace began to quicken. It had been so many months since he passed through the gate, this time he didn't even look up at the massive walls. He was running now, his legs working better with each stride. As he ran past the shops people turned to look at him and many commented that he was the leper that Jesus the Nazarene had touched.