Leprosy was considered in the ancient world a natural symbol for sin. It was a devastating illness socially and spiritually. For a community without the medical treatments that we have today, you would be ostracized both in the social and religious world. Jesus tells the leper, “be clean” (Luke 5:13). The word here is καθαρίζω, katharízō. We get the word cauterize from it. It has a deeper meaning than just “be clean.” It is a term that could mean healing and forgiveness. It is used throughout the New Testament to cleanse, free from filth (e.g., Matthew 23:25; Luke 4:27; Luke 5:12-13; Luke 7:22). To cleanse or make clean from leprosy (Matthew 8:2-3; Mark 1:40-42), often used in the Septuagint for legal cleansing from leprosy (e.g., Leviticus 14:7-11). To cleanse in the sense of purification, legal or ceremonial (Hebrews 9:22-23). In a spiritual sense, to purify from the pollution and guilt of sin (e.g., Acts 15:9; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 5:26; Titus 2:14; Hebrews 9:14; James 4:8; 1 John 1:7-9). Jesus has concern for the ritually outcast. He touches a leper and restores him to community both socially and spiritually.
It is fascinating that as I was working on this post for today, I was asked to talk to one of our mothers about a skin disease that her child has. It has become contagious and we have to get everyone treated; there will be plenty of bathing and cleansing in the cities of Buda and Kyle tonight. It is not funny but when it comes to our spiritual cleansing, are we as worried? I believe in baptism for forgiveness of sins (e.g., Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21) but so many people today want to deny the importance of baptism. I watched a parent tell other parents how to wash and clean their children, themselves, and their homes because the doctor said to. Everyone seems ready to comply. Playing devil’s advocate, I want to ask why?
God tells us that baptism is important for washing away sin and so many want to ignore it. So, why don’t we ignore the doctor that tells us we need to cleanse our bodies to prevent a spread of a contagious skin disease? Go figure! I guess if the leper had lived today, he would have told Jesus, “Don’t touch me!”