Day 51 - Scabby Sores

I was struck when reading the NLT with the phrase over and over of “scabby sore.” I’m a bit more used to “infectious skin disease” or an “itch” or simply “leprosy.” All of this came in the midst of what feels like tedium with all the rules. We’ve already come across a great deal, and now we come to rules and detailed instructions given to determine the nature of a skin issue (or of mold and mildew - leprous disease in a garment). it all feels so burdensome.

But it does point us to reality…to unclearness and sin. And it directs us to the sin and impurity in our lives that naturally separate humanity from the holy Lord. In Leviticus and the old covenant there were very detailed means of being declared clean once again. But those same instructions are not what we find ourselves under today. Rather we live in a time where the touch of the Savior deals with our impurity and uncleanness (cf. Mark 1:40-45) and it goes much much deeper. And when you consider how the man with leprosy responded to being cleansed by Jesus, how much more should all who have been cleansed of sin respond with thankfulness on a daily basis?!