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4/9 Reading Portions: Leviticus 13; Psalm 15-16; Proverbs 27; 2 Thessalonians 1
Leviticus 13:9
“When a man is afflicted with a leprous disease, he shall be brought to the priest...”
CLEAN
The real-life disease of leprosy, as handled and ritualized in the Law of Moses, provides us a more important picture and allegory of sin and its effects upon the eternal soul. There are places in this chapter where the word “if” is used in connection with this affliction. As it pertains to man’s sin, the “if” represents man’s ignorance of sin, or more often, his denial of sin. Yesterday’s reading portion tells us that “there is none who does good” (Psa 14:1); for we know…
all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
Those afflicted with sin must be brought to the priest, which is the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s great High Priest. He looks upon our hearts and sees the imperfection therein (Lev 13:10). The priest determines whether the leprosy exists, just as the perfections of the Lord Jesus Christ alerts us to our fatal and perilous condition. In the Bible, no one has ever been cured of leprosy by mere man. It could only be cured by the miraculous power of God. Though Moses’ hand turned white as snow, it was God who turned it back. Though Moses interceded on behalf of Miriam, it was God who healed her. Though Naaman came to Elisha for healing, it was not Elisha word or Jordan’s waters that healed the Syrian, but God did so when Naaman, by faith, was obedient to the prophet’s word. Though Jesus was a Man, He is also eternal God, so He was the only Man who was no mere man, and He did heal those afflicted with leprosy. As leprosy could only be cured by God, or the God-Man, Jesus Christ, sin also can only be dealt with, rightly diagnosed, and cleansed by almighty God, or by His anointed Messiah— the God-Man, Jesus of Nazareth. At this time of year, the Jews celebrate Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread— feasts of YHVH God (Lev 23). Both feasts deal with sin: by the death of the Paschal Lamb (John 1:29); and by the eating of the Bread of Affliction (John 6:51). Today, let us rejoice in Jesus Messiah, our great High Priest, Our Passover Lamb, and our Bread of Life! Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Lord Jesus is my great High Priest,
My sins doth He reveal;
When I sin and confess I’m weak,
My Christ forgives and heals.
