Saved and Born Again

Leviticus 13 deals with the identification of leprous skin diseases and how the priest's role concerns identifying and appropriately relegating the diseased person to their sad state. However, Leviticus 14 deals with the cleansing of the leper. If Leviticus 13 presents a picture of sin and how it cuts us off from others, removes us from the presence of God and runs deeper than our skin, Leviticus 14 shows us what salvation looks like. Our salvation is illustrated in the sacrifice, cleansing and identification of a cleansed leper.

First, there is a sacrifice of a bird, then a live bird dipped with hyssop into the dead bird's blood is used to sprinkle the mixture on the leper.

Leviticus 14:5–7 (ESV) And the priest shall command them to kill one of the birds in an earthenware vessel over fresh water. 6 He shall take the live bird with the cedarwood and the scarlet yarn and the hyssop, and dip them and the live bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water. 7 And he shall sprinkle it seven times on him who is to be cleansed of the leprous disease. Then he shall pronounce him clean and shall let the living bird go into the open field.

Here we have a picture of substitutionary atonement. The live bird is us, the one who dies is Christ. We are sprinkled in His blood and set free. But for the leper, he is sprinkled in the blood of the dead bird that flows from the live bird. What a picture of our role as the body of Christ to bear witness to the blood of the one that was sacrificed and bring the good news to others. 

Next, the cleansed leper is washed and saved from head to toe.

Leviticus 14:8–9 (ESV) And he who is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes and shave off all his hair and bathe himself in water, and he shall be clean. And after that he may come into the camp, but live outside his tent seven days. 9 And on the seventh day he shall shave off all his hair from his head, his beard, and his eyebrows. He shall shave off all his hair, and then he shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and he shall be clean.

Why all the shaving? For hygiene of course, but also to present us a picture of cleansing of sin. What other kind of person is wetted with blood and water and hairless all over? A new born baby of course. The sacrifice offered on our behalf in Christ had made us NEW, born again, freshly made in the life of His Son!

Then we are presented before the Father, accepted, adopted, into His family. Notice the next task of the priest:
Leviticus 14:10–11 (ESV) “And on the eighth day he shall take two male lambs without blemish, and one ewe lamb a year old without blemish, and a grain offering of three tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, and one log of oil. 11 And the priest who cleanses him shall set the man who is to be cleansed and these things before the LORD, at the entrance of the tent of meeting.

I love how it makes this clear - the cleansed man is set before the LORD, at the tent of meeting by the priest. Who is our true and great high priest who had done this for us? Christ Jesus! 

Friend, in Christ Jesus, you have been cleansed of sin, washed and make new, born again, and not only that - you are presented to the Father as His faultless child. You do not have to fear God, you can come to Him, as you are and let Christ do the rest! 

Sweet salvation. 

Amen.