JESUS IN THE OT - 2

Leviticus 14:1-7.

(A grateful ex-leper, Luke 17:11-19).

In this passage we find the ceremonial regulations to pronounce
healing from infectious skin diseases. The diseased person lives
outside the camp and cannot come to the community and mingle with
others until the priest declares him clean. QUARANTINE.

The procedure includes two live birds. One is killed over a
clay pot with water, making it red with the blood; the other is
dipped in the red water and released. The same water is then
sprinkled seven times on the healed person. Then he is
pronounced "clean".

Remember God is able to heal a person without this procedure
(Luke 4:27; 2 Kings 5:1-15). In His sovereignty, God has the
freedom and the ability to make exceptions. But He passed this
Jewish law to protect the community and also to carry a message.

In Leviticus 14 the two birds represents the death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ. Blood is shed. The skin disease, or
leprosy, represents sin. The judgment of sin is death (Genesis
2:17; Romans 6:23). It includes spiritual death, which is eternal
separation from God.

Because God is holy, He cannot condone sin. So humans are left
in a hopeless situation. Because God is love, He provides a way for
us to return to Him. This provision is fulfilled by Jesus who is
altogether holy and perfect and sinless --- He paid the ultimate
penalty of sin for us by His death on the cross.

And because Jesus is holy and sinless, He rose from the death.
He conquered death. So by accepting the death and resurrection of
Jesus we are pronounced "clean" before the holy God.

Jesus lived under the law to fulfill all the demands of the law
(Galatians 4:4; Matthew 5:17-18). Just as God healed Namaan of
leprosy, Jesus demonstrated His power to heal the same disease. He
healed a leper in Matthew 8:1-5 and instructed him to fulfill the
ceremonial law passed under Moses in Leviticus 14.

Jesus has power over both physical and spiritual diseases. We
can be cleansed only in Jesus Christ alone (1 John 1:7). Everyone is
welcome to avail of this cleansing (Revelation 22:14-21).


ARE YOU WASHED IN THE BLOOD?

Have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
Are you fully trusting in His grace this hour?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Are you washed in the blood,
In the soul-cleansing blood of the Lamb?
Are your garments spotless?
Are they white as snow?
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?
(Elisha A. Hoffman)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9oW91Iv8D8