DCLM Daily Manna Friday, April 22, 2022
TOPIC: Restoration After Purification
TEXT: Leviticus 14:10-20
KEY VERSE:
“And the priest shall offer the burnt offering and the meat offering upon the altar: and the priest shall make an atonement for him, and he shall be clean.” – (Leviticus 14:20)
The preceding verses in this chapter talk about cleansing rituals for the leper. They state the procedure to take to ensure that a person afflicted with the disease of leprosy is healed and fit for communal living once again.
Our reading today states the steps of purification that the leper must undertake on the eighth day after he has been certified healed of leprosy. He is to make sacrifices with three animals inside the tabernacle. The same high priest that certified him healed will supervise his restoration rituals using flour and oil along with the animals to be used for the sacrifices.
Restoration of the cleansed leper was to be an open ceremony, not one done in secret. It was to be done before the Lord. Definitely, we can all relate to and learn from this narrative. Every human was born in sin. We need cleansing through the precious blood of Jesus, not by the rigorous and expensive ceremonial sacrifices of the Old Testament nor the works of our hands. As you become born anew, cleansed by the blood of Jesus, the joy of salvation drives you to publicly proclaim your newfound faith.
Like the lepers of old, when we receive forgiveness of sins, we must show our appreciation to the Lord by consecrating our bodies unto Him like Paul counselled. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12:1). A grateful heart is always useful in saving others for the Lord.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Grateful souls become graceful servants of the Master.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Psalm 119:1-56
