Day 53

Leviticus 13:1‐59; Mark 6:1‐29; Psalm 39:1‐13; Proverbs 10:10

Spots Made Clean

…And the leper in whom the disease is, HIS CLOTHES SHALL BE RENT, and his head bare, and he shall put a covering upon his upper lip and shall cry “Unclean, unclean.” Leviticus 13:45 KJV

Once the diagnosis of a leprosy was confirmed, everything changed for the leper. He lived in a state of mourning—“His clothes shall be rent and his head bare” (Lev. 13:45). In public, he was a disgrace—“He shall cry unclean, unclean” (Lev. 13:45) and live in isolation.

It’s important to note that the priests could only judge the unclean by the law, through which comes only the knowledge of sin (see Romans 3:20). Aaron and his sons never had the power to cleanse or heal it! They simply declared the person clean or unclean.

There is only one time in the New Testament where the word “rent” is used with the Pharisees. “The high priest rent his clothing and said, ‘He has spoken blasphemy. Why do we need anymore witnesses?….He is worthy of death'” (Matthew 26:65-66). While it was the custom of the Jews to rend clothing as a sign of mourning, it was forbidden by the law for the Pharisees (Lev 21:10).

Praise be to God that there was a change in the priesthood to save you and I, who are spiritual lepers. “…Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him because he always lives to intercede for them” (Hebrews 7:24-25).

Father, we stand before you covered by “spots of sin.” Thank you that in the Name of Jesus, you see us as your Son — pure and blameless through the finished work of the cross. May we be more like the leper who was healed and threw himself at your feet thanking and praising you (Luke 17:15-16). Amen.

Meredith Thomas