How does Leviticus 14:57 connect with New Testament teachings on purity? Leviticus 14:57 in Context “to determine whether something is unclean or clean. This is the law regarding skin diseases and mildew.” (Leviticus 14:57) • Final summary of a chapter devoted to diagnosing and restoring those afflicted with “scale disease” (often called leprosy). • Centers on the priest’s authority to pronounce a person, garment, or house “clean” or “unclean.” • Highlights God’s concern that His covenant people live in holiness, set apart from impurity (cf. Leviticus 10:10). Foundational Principles Carried into the New Testament • God alone defines purity and impurity. • Sin, like leprosy, defiles, spreads, and isolates. • A mediator-priest is necessary both to diagnose and to declare cleansing. • Sacrifice is required—blood is shed and applied—to restore fellowship (Leviticus 14:3-7). Fulfillment in Christ’s Earthly Ministry • Jesus, the greater High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-15), does what Levitical priests only symbolized. – “Jesus reached out His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be clean.’ And immediately the leprosy left him.” (Luke 5:13) – He not only pronounces clean; He imparts cleanness by His word and touch (Matthew 8:3; Mark 1:41-42). • His blood provides the once-for-all purification the Law anticipated (Hebrews 9:13-14). • After healing ten lepers He sent them “to show yourselves to the priests” (Luke 17:14). The Law remained valid, yet pointed to Him. New Testament Echoes of the Clean/Unclean Distinction • Moral and heart purity supersede external ritual (Mark 7:18-23; Matthew 23:25-28). • Faith in Christ cleanses the heart (Acts 15:9). • “If we walk in the light…the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7) • Call to separate from defilement persists: “Touch no unclean thing…” (2 Corinthians 6:17). • Ceremonial barriers removed—foods and Gentiles declared clean (Acts 10:15; Romans 14:14)—yet the underlying principle of holiness endures. • Ongoing sanctification urged: “Let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit” (2 Corinthians 7:1). Living Out Purity Today • Submit to Christ’s diagnosis—regular confession keeps spiritual leprosy from spreading (1 John 1:9). • Rely on His finished sacrifice; no self-made rituals can cleanse the soul (Hebrews 10:22). • Pursue practical holiness: – Flee sexual immorality (1 Thessalonians 4:3-7). – Guard lips, eyes, and thoughts (James 3:6; Philippians 4:8). – Serve as a “royal priesthood” helping others discern purity, offering restoration with gentleness (Galatians 6:1; 1 Peter 2:9). • Look forward to the day when Christ presents the church to Himself, “without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.” (Ephesians 5:27) Leviticus 14:57’s concern for discerning clean and unclean finds its ultimate answer in the One who both diagnoses and cures—Jesus, our perfect High Priest—so that His people may live in true, Spirit-empowered purity. |
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