Cleansed and Set Free
Leprosy was a terrible condition to have in Bible times. Lepers were pronounced unclean because of their skin condition, and they were sent out away from the rest of the people to live forever in isolation, until they died. Sounds a lot like the consequences of sin in our lives, doesn't it? Sin corrupts us. It infects those around us, and it leads to death. Our only hope is to be cleansed of our sins by the blood of Jesus. The cleansing ceremony for the leper in Leviticus 14:7 is a beautiful picture of what happens when we are cleansed and set free from sin.
The priest took two birds. He killed one bird and sprinkled the blood on the leper seven times. Then, after dipping the living bird in the blood of the sacrificed bird, he set him free. The leper was pronounced clean, and he could return to life with family and friends. It is the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from sin. It is the only thing that is effective, because He was the only God/Man. He was willing to shed His perfect blood, so that when we trust Him as Lord, He can sprinkle His blood on us for our cleansing. Then, we are set free like that bird. We do not have to sin any more. We are free to live with God's power and to return to our friends and family, so that we can tell them how Jesus has changed us.
Let's determine to remember every day that we have been cleansed and set free. Let's tell others the cleansing provided by trusting in Jesus, who shed His blood for us. Then, let's live a life that is set free from the ravages of sin, so that others can see that once Jesus comes into our lives, we are different forever.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Leviticus 16-19.
The priest took two birds. He killed one bird and sprinkled the blood on the leper seven times. Then, after dipping the living bird in the blood of the sacrificed bird, he set him free. The leper was pronounced clean, and he could return to life with family and friends. It is the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from sin. It is the only thing that is effective, because He was the only God/Man. He was willing to shed His perfect blood, so that when we trust Him as Lord, He can sprinkle His blood on us for our cleansing. Then, we are set free like that bird. We do not have to sin any more. We are free to live with God's power and to return to our friends and family, so that we can tell them how Jesus has changed us.
Let's determine to remember every day that we have been cleansed and set free. Let's tell others the cleansing provided by trusting in Jesus, who shed His blood for us. Then, let's live a life that is set free from the ravages of sin, so that others can see that once Jesus comes into our lives, we are different forever.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Leviticus 16-19.