Today’s devotion comes from Leviticus 13:45-59. Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus%2013&version=NASB1995
I quote only the following verses.
“As for the leper who has the infection, his clothes shall be torn, and the hair of his head shall be uncovered, and he shall cover his mustache and cry, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ He shall remain unclean all the days during which he has the infection; he is unclean. He shall live alone; his dwelling shall be outside the camp.” Leviticus 13:45-46.
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Sin is far more dangerous than leprosy, but in stunning contrast to the outcast of the leper, the forgiven sinner is welcomed into the holy place of God and encouraged to mingle with God’s own people.
“Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:19-25.
Let us specifically contrast the points.
The leper’s clothes shall be torn, but the forgiven sinner wears a robe of righteousness.
“I will rejoice greatly in the LORD,
My soul will exult in my God;
For He has clothed me with garments of salvation,
He has wrapped me with a robe of righteousness,
As a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” Isaiah 61:10.
The leper’s hair of his head shall be uncovered likely showing the leprosy breaking out on his head, but the forgiven sinner’s head is anointed with oil and covered with the helmet of salvation, and the forgiven sinner will receive the unfading crown of glory.
“… You have anointed my head with oil; …” Psalm 23:5.
“And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, …” Ephesians 6:17.
“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” 1 Peter 5:4.
The leper shall cry, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ and remain unclean all the days during which he has the infection, but the heart of the forgiven sinner is sprinkled clean from an evil conscience with even the consciousness of sins removed.
In contrast to the Law and the continuing offering of bulls and goats thereunder, the blood of Jesus cleanses the forgiven sinner so thoroughly that even the consciousness of sins is removed. “Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins?” Hebrews 10:2.
The leper lives alone with his dwelling outside the camp, but the forgiven sinner has “confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus” and lives together with God’s own people, other forgiven sinners, in order “to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, … encouraging one another”.
“For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified.” Hebrews 10:14.
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