As a ritual with the Israelites, those who were afflicted by contagious diseases such as leprosy, etc. were required to be certified as clean or unclean by the High Priest. Some diseases were believed to be spiritual, hence needed spiritual certification. The High Priests were the custodians of God’s divine knowledge. Leviticus 13: 9 says when a person contracts a leprous disease, he shall be brought to the priest.
By this ritual, Jesus said to the ten lepers in Luke 17: 14 go and show yourselves to the priests. And as they went, they were made clean. Christ Jesus was the High Priest and therefore gave the ten lepers the required final clearance of wholeness. Hebrews 3: 1-2 says, consider that Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. Jesus was compassionate to heal the lepers who did not know him as the foremost high priest.
Jesus is our foremost high priest
Jesus examined the ten lepers, healed them spiritually, and sent them to fulfil the tradition for their clearance. Hebrews 4: 14-15 say since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. It took faith and obedience for the lepers to realize Jesus had cleared them as whole.
Jesus did not break tradition. He said in Matthew 5: 17 do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Spiritually, the tradition continues to date. Until and unless we are certified by Christ Jesus in his blood, we shall remain unclean with our sins. Our stained robes must equally be washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb. Jesus fulfilled the ritual in love because he sympathized with their weaknesses. Romans 13: 10 says love is the fulfilling of the law.
Nature of Jesus’ high priesthood
God appointed Christ Jesus as our High Priest forever to certify our infirmity if clean. Hebrews 7: 27-28 say unlike the other high priests, he has no need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for those of the people; this he did once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests those who are subject to weaknesses… but the word… appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever. Jesus is seated forever as our high priest. Hebrews 8: 2 says… he is a minister in the sanctuary and the true tent that the Lord, and not any mortal, has set up.
All of us have spiritual infirmities and only Jesus can heal. Jesus said in Matthew 9: 12; Mark 2: 17; Luke 5: 31 those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Jesus knows the depth of our spiritual infirmity and is ready to certify us with a clean bill as the ordained righteous high priest. Isaiah 45: 9 says woe to you who strive with your Maker, earthen vessels with the potter! Does the clay say to the one who fashions it, what are you making? Or your work has no handles. We cannot question God.
The power of Jesus’ clearance
Jeremiah 13: 27 says I have seen your abominations… How long will it be before you are made clean? Fake priests cannot save or cleanse or certify us as clean before God. We must know the truth to examine the truth. Jesus knows how we were formed in the womb hence can certify if we are clean. Jeremiah 23: 1 says woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture says the LORD.
God has warned the blind guides to his sheep who examine God’s sheep without the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 18: 7 says… stumbling are bound to come, but woe to the one by whom the stumbling block comes! We must be renewed in our minds to accept Jesus as our eternal high priest. Ephesians 4: 25 says putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbours, for we are members of one another.
Paul wrote in Romans 12: 2 do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God– what is good and acceptable and perfect. Have we submitted ourselves to Jesus’ examination of our lives by his Holy Spirit?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, we come to you as sick people spiritually. We acknowledge you as the high priest ordained by God to examine us. We come to you for cleansing in your blood. We also wash our robes in your blood so we may be whole to dwell among your saints. Be merciful to heal us, restore us by your love, and by your grace, strengthen our weaknesses. Pronounce us as whole in your holy name, Amen!!
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