The importance of cleansing

The ceremony celebrating cleansing from leprosy was very dramatic! The priest would go outside the camp and take two birds. One living, clean bird would die. The other bird would be dipped along with cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop into water and the blood of the dead bird. Bearing the mark of sacrifice, the living bird flew away, ascending to the heavens and out of sight.

Then the healed person would have the blood and water sprinkled on him seven times. He would be pronounced clean.

After a period of seven days temporary quarantine, he would be fully admitted back into fellowship with God and man through a series of sacrifices. Interestingly, blood from the sacrifices and oil was put on the tip of his ear, his thumb, and his great toe, similar to the anointing and consecrating of the priests.

No doubt, this is a great picture of how Christ’s blood cleanses us, brings us back into fellowship with God, and anoints us for service. Christ, the perfect clean One, took our place and died for us. As a result, we can go free like the bird that was let go, and we are brought back into fellowship and given a place of service.

The unusual ritual of cleansing pointed to the future work of the Messiah, who would cleanse those stained with the leprosy of sin.

· Jesus was sacrificed outside the camp (Hebrews 13:11-13).

· Jesus was the Man from heaven (John 3:13, 6:38).

· Jesus remained cleansed and holy (Acts 2:27) even in His death, becoming sin (2 Corinthians 5:21) without becoming a sinner.

One of the live birds was to be killed under running water which was to be caught in a clay bowl. The blood of the bird was thus mingled with the water. Then the live bird with the scarlet, cedarwood, and hyssop were dipped into the blood and water mixture, and the live bird was set free.

· Jesus came by water and blood (1 John 5:6) and died in association with blood and water (John 19:34-35).

When the Roman soldier thrust his spear through His heart there came forth blood and water.

· Jesus died in association with scarlet cloth (Matthew 27:28).

· Jesus died in association with wood (John 19:17-18).

· Jesus died in association with hyssop (John 19:29).

It is interesting to note that when Jesus was hanging on the cross when He cried, "I thirst." they dipped hyssop in vinegar to give him a drink.

· Jesus lived, bearing the marks of His death (John 20:27).

· Jesus ascended to heaven, out of human sight (Acts 1:9).

There is a sense in which the living bird set free points to the resurrected Jesus. But it also points to the one healed and free from their leprosy, including the leprosy of sin; they are resurrected and free in the resurrected Jesus Christ.

Whatever you have done, whatever guilt you have, whatever makes you impure, the blood of Christ can cleanse from all sin. Come to Him. Accept His sacrifice for you and be set free! John 8:36 says "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."

Application Questions:

1. Other people “inspect” our lives as they observe our daily actions and reactions. What behaviors might they regard as “unclean”? What behaviors would they classify as “clean”?

2. Do those inspecting your life observe a life free from any trace of sin?

Quote:

“Be assured that there is no sin you have ever committed that the blood of Jesus Christ cannot cleanse." - Billy Graham

Prayer:

Lord, I thank you that there is cleansing in your blood that was shed for me on the cross. Thank you that I have been set free. Help me to live in this liberty. Amen.