We concluded the previous lesson by stating how devastating the consequences of having leprosy were. Now we know why, if the priest pronounced a person as having leprosy and unclean, he shall dwell alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp. Imagine being isolated not just from family and friends, but all people because of a contagious disease. Not only would we be alone, but we would feel extremely lonely, with no human contact except for with other people like us suffering the same disease we're suffering, unable to comfort of sympathize because they're going through what we're going through.
Again, we have to make mention of the love and compassion of Christ Jesus when He was confronted by a leper near Galilee. Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” (Mark 1:40-41) The priests casts the leper outside the camp to dwell alone; but Christ Jesus has compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him.
Regardless of being healed, can we possibly imagine how that leper felt to have another human being actually touch him. Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in allpoints tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14-16)
But back to the Lord God's instructions to Moses, after giving the law regarding people with leprosy, He would give the law regarding leprous garments. “Also, if a garment has a leprous plague in it, whether it is a woolen garment or a linen garment, whether it is in the warp or woof of linen or wool, whether in leather or in anything made of leather, and if the plague is greenish or reddish in the garment or in the leather, whether in the warp or in the woof, or in anything made of leather, it is a leprous plague and shall be shown to the priest. The priest shall examine the plague and isolate that which has the plague seven days. And he shall examine the plague on the seventh day. If the plague has spread in the garment, either in the warp or in the woof, in the leather or in anything made of leather, the plague is an active leprosy. It is unclean. He shall therefore burn that garment in which is the plague, whether warp or woof, in wool or in linen, or anything of leather, for it is an active leprosy; the garment shall be burned in the fire. (Leviticus 13:47-53)
“But if the priest examines it, and indeed the plague has not spread in the garment, either in the warp or in the woof, or in anything made of leather, then the priest shall command that they wash the thing in which is the plague; and he shall isolate it another seven days. Then the priest shall examine the plague after it has been washed; and indeed if the plague has not changed its color, though the plague has not spread, it is unclean, and you shall burn it in the fire; it continues eating away, whether the damage is outside or inside. If the priest examines it, and indeed the plague has faded after washing it, then he shall tear it out of the garment, whether out of the warp or out of the woof, or out of the leather. But if it appears again in the garment, either in the warp or in the woof, or in anything made of leather, it is a spreading plague; you shall burn with fire that in which is the plague. And if you wash the garment, either warp or woof, or whatever is made of leather, if the plague has disappeared from it, then it shall be washed a second time, and shall be clean. “This is the law of the leprous plague in a garment of wool or linen, either in the warp or woof, or in anything made of leather, to pronounce it clean or to pronounce it unclean.” (Leviticus 13:53-59)
Why all the work to make sure if a garment was leprous or not? Why not just burn it? Up to this point, linen was always described as fine woven linen; and animal hide, leather was also very desirable. Remember, when the Lord God commanded what materials were to be used to make the tabernacle, Moses spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which the Lord commanded, saying: ‘Take from among you an offering to the Lord. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as an offering to the Lord: gold, silver, and bronze; blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats’ hair; ram skins dyed red, badger skins, and acacia wood; oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense; onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate. (Exodus 35:4-9)
These garments were not cheap quality stuff like so much of what we discard today, but they were well made, durable and of value to the people. They would not want to have to destroy them unless absolutely necessary. Not only could the priests determine if the garments were clean or unclean, but the leprous person could be healed from leprosy also. Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “This shall be the law of the leper for the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought to the priest. And the priest shall go out of the camp, and the priest shall examine him;..." (Leviticus 14:1-3)
This lets us know that no matter how bad our "leprous" physical or spiritual condition is, God still is able to heal, through the power of His Holy Spirit, as long as we have faith in His Son, Christ Jesus. As Christ Jesus commanded the disciples, when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. ... These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying:... Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give." (Matthew 10:1, 5-8)
The Apostle Peter proved that these weren't just words, but when he and the Apostle John were thrown into prison and had to go before the Sanhedrin, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them,... "...by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole." (Acts 4:7-10) Later, while praising God after being released, Peter said while praying, "...grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:29-30)
No matter what kind of physical or spiritual suffering we may go through, lets make sure to hold on to our faith in Christ Jesus. Just like the lepers dwell alone and be cast outside the camp, we too at times may feel alone and an outsider for whatever reason; but let's never forget ...Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. (I Peter 2:21-24) AMEN!
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