READING FOR AUGUST 26, 2024: LEVITICUS 14, LUKE 15, PSALM 86:8-17                                      LEVITICUS 14   Cleansing for former Leprous people and for mildew in the house: 

The leper had to be thrust out of the community without any treatment provided or suggested. The priest needed to go out of the camp to examine him (at some personal risk). If he is judged to be healed, then he begins the cleansing process (at left). A slain bird pays the price for this impurity while a freed bird signals upcoming freedom. Thus, it is a happy time because it means rejoining God’s community. It is also highly public,affirming the former leper is about to be accepted. The first 7 days take place outside the camp through the first shaving and bathing. Then the animal and grain offerings occur at the door of the tabernacle. The guilt offering blood is placed on the man, possibly meaning that even though leprosy was not his fault, he still did not share in the community responsibilities during his quarantine. Some people, not this writer, see a connection with Donald Trump’s right ear being bloodied when he was shot.

Priests didn’t try to heal lepers; they only evaluated and led the cleansing ritual. Jesus, though, could and did heal lepers. On at least two occasions he told healed men to follow up with this cleansing ritual: “Show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as atestimony to them” (Mark 1:44). No one today needs to follow this practice. We have, however, been cleansed by the blood of Jesus from sin that separates. We now can be in community with God and His people forever. This is the testimony we must share with others.

The last major part of this chapter deals with houses having mildew: “When you enter the land of Canaan, which I give you for a possession, and I put a mark of leprosy on a house in the land of your possession, then the one who owns the house shall come and tell the priest.” Notice this says that God was responsible for the problem. Although we might not know God’s reason, we are still responsible to act. Matthew Henry makes this application: “Sin, where that reigns in a house, is a plague there, as it is in a heart. Masters of families should be aware, and afraid of the first appearance of gross sin in their families, and put away the iniquity, whatever it is, far from their tabernacles.”

READING FOR AUGUST 26, 2024 CONTINUED:  LUKE 15, PSALM 86:8-17                                        LUKE 15 According to the Barna Group: “Today, a number of factors are curbing many Christians’ enthusiasm for faith-sharing, including the decline of religion in America, a spreading apathy toward spiritual matters and a growing cultural suspicion of people of faith.” The Pharisees and scribes also found it strange that Jesus would reach out to sinners. These parables are Jesus’s view on the matter. One danger of Jesus’s parables is that the story is often so interesting that the main point is lost. In many of His parables, as is the case in these three, the main point is plainly laid out at the very end. So, let’s work backwards:                                                                                              Lost Sheep Parable 

• Main point—God urgently seeks people to repent and believe. Those who won’t repent are lost. 
• Who’s who—Jesus is the shepherd. The tax collectors are the lost sheep. The Pharisees are the 99 sheep in the flock the shepherd left and who claim they are fine as they are. 
• Application—Everyone needs to repent, and those who seek to save the lost are being like Jesus. 

  Lost Coin Parable      

• Main point—God and all heaven rejoice when a sinner repents.
• Who’s who—The woman is Jesus or a person seeking lost sinners. The tax collectors are the lost coin.
• Application—Reaching the lost takes lots of effort, but the joy of seeing a new believer is unmatched. 

Prodigal Son Parable

• Main point—God is eager to receive any lost sinner who repents and turns to Him for life eternal. 
• Who’s who—The Jesus is the father. The tax collectors are the younger son. The Pharisees are the older brother. 
• Application— Just living respectfully doesn’t bring joy or eternal life. All must repent before God. 

PSALM 86:8-17    David determined what he would do in a time of trouble. It is wise to settle in our minds now what we will do when in difficult circumstances rather than trust we will have the presence of mind to turn to God under stress. David affirms that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the superior belief system of his day, not just one pathway among many acceptable ones. This is particularly important to uphold in our time of pluralism and inclusiveness. In fact, David expands on this by looking forward to the day when all nations and all time periods will acknowledge this God as the only true Lord of Lords: “At the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:10-11). It is not stated when this was written, but likely David was then a prominent person in Israel, if not king. Yet, he rightly assumes a humble position as a student before God. If because of accomplishment or age we ever lose that attitude, God cannot use us effectively. We are too limited in our human perspective. Just because David was still learning, it did not mean he was unsure about all the central truths of reality. He and we can be certain of God’s graciousness, mercy, patience, love, strength, assistance, comfort, and salvation. Those are not up for grabs or debate.