How does Leviticus 14:18 connect to Jesus' role as our High Priest? A Snapshot of Leviticus 14:18 “The rest of the oil that is in the priest’s palm he is to put on the head of the one being cleansed. So the priest will make atonement for him before the LORD.” What the Priest Literally Did • Applied sacrificial blood to ear, thumb, and toe (vv. 14-17) • Poured remaining oil on the cleansed person’s head • Declared “atonement” — full acceptance before the LORD Why Blood + Oil Matter • Blood = payment for sin (Leviticus 17:11) • Oil = anointing, empowerment, Spirit-given life (1 Samuel 16:13; Isaiah 61:1) • Together they picture both forgiveness and new, Spirit-filled living Foreshadowing Jesus, the Final High Priest • Only a priest could pronounce cleansing; Jesus is “a great high priest” (Hebrews 4:14) • The priest used another creature’s blood; Jesus offered His own (Hebrews 9:12) • Old-covenant priests stood daily; Jesus “offered one sacrifice for sins forever” (Hebrews 10:12) • After shedding His blood, Jesus poured out the Spirit (oil) on believers (John 20:22; Acts 2:33) Parallels Between the Ceremony and Christ’s Work • Leper → sinner excluded from fellowship • Blood on extremities → Jesus’ blood cleansing every part of life (1 John 1:7) • Oil on head → Jesus anoints with the Holy Spirit (Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38) • Atonement pronounced → “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God” (Romans 5:1) Head Anointing and Our Union with Christ • Head symbolizes identity and authority; Jesus gives a new identity in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17) • Anointing flows from head to body; Christ the Head shares His Spirit with His church (Psalm 133:2; 1 Corinthians 12:13) Living Under Our Anointed High Priest • Continual intercession: “He always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:25) • Confident access: “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence” (Hebrews 4:16) • Spirit-empowered service: “Now the One who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God” (2 Corinthians 1:21) Takeaway Leviticus 14:18 literally portrays a priest placing oil on a cleansed leper’s head to confirm atonement. In perfect fulfillment, Jesus sheds His own blood, declares us clean, and anoints us with the Holy Spirit—simultaneously serving as both sacrifice and everlasting High Priest. |
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