The Law of the Leper (Lk. 5:12-15, Lev. 14:1-32)

[disciple]

The Law of the Leper
(Matt. 8:1-4, Mk. 1:40-45, Lk. 5:12-15; Lev. 14:1-32)

--A man came to Jesus “full of leprosy” (5:12); a picture of a life totally destroyed by sin, with no possible human cure

--He saw Jesus, sought His cleansing, & received it; picture of salvation (Jesus’ willingness is an ongoing action, always willing to forgive & cleanse)

--Jesus’ 3 commands, none of which were obeyed (5:14):
· “see (continuous action, “as long as you live”) that you don’t tell anyone”—was to be a life-example
· “show/present yourself to the priesthood”
· “make an offering” according to the command & standard of Scripture

Instead of doing this, he went out & told everyone what happened, which drew large crowds to Jesus (1:45).

WHAT WOULD OBEDIENCE TO THESE DIRECTIONS HAVE LOOKED LIKE?

Leviticus 14:1-32—law for the cleansed leper
· former leper must be brought to the priesthood (v. 1)
· former leper identifies with the offering, which is 2 birds (v. 4-7). Birds are the lowest grade of offering, showing that cleansing is just the beginning and that Jesus lowered Himself as much as He could for our redemption.
· 1st bird lays aside its freedom by being placed in the clay pot (Jesus “putting on flesh”) and is killed over living water (picture of Jesus’ death). The 2nd bird is covered in the blood of the other bird, as is the cedar (cross), scarlet (Matt. 27:28), and hyssop (Jn. 19:29). After being covered by the blood, the bird is set free (v. 7).
· The healed leper identifies with the 2nd bird in that he is sprinkled with the blood too, & declared clean. After this he washes his clothes (new righteousness), washes his body (cleansing the flesh), shaves his hair (laying aside glory/pride), and is brought into fellowship/community (v. 8)
· The healed leper then becomes a worshipper, bringing the offerings described in Lev. 1-5. All except the peace offering are mentioned in v. 10-13. The priest who helped with his cleansing is to help him through the offerings as well. The healed leper commits to all the offerings before any one is even offered (v. 10).
· Once he has begun in the offerings, the leper takes on the anointing and identification of a priest by receiving the blood of the sacrifice and the oil (Spirit) on his ear, thumb, & big toe—to hear, to work, & to walk in “head to toe” consecration. Priests were the only others who received this designation (Lev. 8:22-24). The healed leper can only take this identification if he has brought all the offerings and begun making them—Jesus’ sacrifice pronounces us clean, our willingness to sacrifice for Him allows us to function as part of His royal priesthood (v. 14-18).
· v. 21-32 tell how one can go through this process if they have less wealth, showing that God has set things up to where anyone can do this.

--Results of the man’s disobedience:
· priesthood not put to use
· man wasn’t fully set free
· unbelievers not shown evidence that Jesus fulfills the law—no one previously healed of leprosy
· other lepers unable to be healed b/c of crowds—lepers never come into a crowd

Because we don’t go to the spiritual priesthood and follow this process as God wants us to, these same problems are evident today in the Body of Christ.