PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Leviticus 13-15
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“She will be unclean as long as she has the discharge…” (Leviticus 15:25)
These are hard chapters to be inspired by, dealing with disease, mold and discharges.
Some of this may have good hygiene reasons, but what an impact on the ‘unclean’ person.
I think of the woman who had been “subject to bleeding for twelve years” (Luke 8:43).
This poor woman was untouchable, unclean, shunned and unloved FOR TWELVE YEARS!
The Moses Law may have had its reasons, but the impact would have been crushing.
This is the curse of the Law, how it leaves us in our misery, and cannot release us.
“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17)
Jesus does what the Law does not; He does not condemn her but welcomes her touch.
He affirms her desperation and faith (caused by her condition, and magnified by the Law).
This passage reminds me why we do not focus on the old covenant, and why I cling to Jesus.
As sinners we are still unclean, but we are not shunned, untouchable, kept at a distance.
Our ‘uncleanness’ does not defile Jesus; His holiness cleanses our defilement.
Jesus brings us close, He embraces and restores us as God’s much-loved children.
Don’t let your ‘uncleanness’ or the judgmentalism of others hold you back from Jesus.
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for ending my curse and condemnation, for making me clean.
Lord help me be able to identify when I have become unclean and again need to present myself as an offering to you to be cleansed. Thank you for the rest and restoration we always have in You.
I kept thinking about the ‘risky’ job of the priest – being exposed to all kinds of diseases and infections God had given instructions and rituals that I am sure helped prevent the spread of diseases – and the priest was the one that was exposed. The focus was on cleansing to the keep his people clean – set apart. Jesus stepped in on my total uncleanness – physically and spiritually -and even our thoughts – and even demonstrated that He as priest was willing to expose himself – to take the risk for me! So too I must be willing to be a priest – be willing to take the risk of contamination in a sinful world – to stay cleansed in Jesus. Without Jesus – I would be cast out of the community – out of my bed and tent too. I saw that in Asia – people who had someone that had leprosy – would not let anyone know – especially in the beginning phase when medically they could be helped before things spread – but families kept them hidden – the shame and association with being ‘cursed’ with the disease was so strong. Jesus took the risk and cut through all that for me! Instead of isolation He brings fellowship!