What New Testament teachings connect with the cleansing principles in Leviticus 13:56? Leviticus 13:56 – Snapshot of the Old-Covenant Picture “But if the priest examines it and the mildew has faded after it has been washed, he is to tear it out of the garment, leather, weaving, or knitting; it will be clean.” • A priest inspects. • If the stain shrinks after washing, the defiled part is cut away. • Only then is the garment declared clean. This physical procedure foreshadows deeper, spiritual cleansing that the New Testament unfolds. Christ, the Greater Priest, Fulfills the Pattern • Matthew 8:2-4 – Jesus cleanses a leper and sends him “to show yourself to the priest,” linking His ministry with Levitical law. • Hebrews 4:14-15 – our “great High Priest” who sympathizes and acts. • Hebrews 9:13-14 – His own blood “purifies our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” • 1 John 1:7 – “the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” The Once-for-All Washing of Salvation • 1 Corinthians 6:11 – “you were washed… sanctified… justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” • Revelation 7:14 – robes “washed … white in the blood of the Lamb.” • Hebrews 10:22 – hearts sprinkled, bodies washed, so we draw near with boldness. Ongoing Washing by the Word • John 15:3 – “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.” • Ephesians 5:25-27 – Christ “cleansing her by the washing with water through the word.” • James 1:21 – receive the implanted word “which is able to save your souls.” Cutting Away What Corrupts Leviticus required ripping out the remaining stain; believers are called to a spiritual parallel: • Matthew 5:29 – “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out.” • Romans 8:13 – by the Spirit “put to death the deeds of the body.” • 2 Corinthians 7:1 – “cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit.” • Colossians 3:5-10 – “put to death … anger, slander … put on the new self.” Corporate Cleansing and Church Discipline • 1 Corinthians 5:6-7, 13 – “Clean out the old leaven… Expel the wicked man from among you.” • Galatians 6:1 – restore one caught in sin “in a spirit of gentleness,” yet still address the stain. • Ephesians 4:11-16 – leaders equip saints so that the body “builds itself up,” free from crafty deception. Living as a Clean People in a Stained World • 1 Peter 2:9 – a “royal priesthood” now examining our own garments. • 1 John 1:9 – regular confession keeps fellowship bright: “He is faithful … to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” • Philippians 2:14-16 – shine “as lights in the world” holding fast to the word of life. • Titus 2:14 – Christ “gave Himself … to purify for Himself a people … eager to do good.” The priest in Leviticus inspected, washed, then cut away lingering corruption. Jesus, the true Priest, does the same in perfected form—washing us once for all by His blood, continually cleansing us through His word, and calling us to cut off whatever still defiles so that we may walk in the fullness of His purity. |
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