Leviticus 14:11. “And the priest that maketh him clean shall present the man that is to be made clean, and those things, before the Lord, at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation:”
BEFORE THE LORD The man comes: hopeful, stepping with quiet steps – lambs, oil, fine flour all that is needed and required by God. But it must be done right – in God’s way. It must be done on the right day. He is sparkling clean. Not a hair on him to be seen and his clothes and body are freshly washed. He is coming today BEFORE THE LORD. All things are open and naked before the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. I came to Him with nothing but evidence of sin that has been dealt with. Empty of self, all evidence of personal pride gone. Nothing is left to hide. Save me, O God.
The priest steps up: his duty before him is clear. He takes the lamb and the oil and holds them high – back and forth. People watch. The shaven man so clean and hopeful watches with shallow breaths to see what is done. The priest is careful to offer in God’s way because he knows how important it is to do things right – BEFORE THE LORD. A sacrifice for sin is made. A sinless victim has died and blood has been shed. The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son cleanses us from all sin. It is the blood that maketh atonement for the soul. Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission. Thank God for price the Savior paid.
The blood has been sprinkled: evidence is there to be seen on the hairless head of the man – his ear, hand and foot have the red sign of sacrifice on them. Then mixed with the blood is oil on the same places – ear, thumb and big toe. And the Lord watches because it is – BEFORE THE LORD. When He, the Spirit of truth is come, He will guide you into all truth. Conviction of sin reaches the ear. Righteousness has to do with the work of the hand. Judgment is at the end of the last step we make. Thank the Holy Spirit for divine acceptance.
The oil that’s left: all of it – poured out on the head, the bald, shaven head of the one whose leprosy kept him separate from all the people for such a long time. The priest has made atonement for him – BEFORE THE LORD. Accepted in the Beloved: what a blessing to have such assurance. Atonement makes us at one with the God of our salvation. That position never is changed because I am “In Christ.”
Turtle doves can take the place for the poor. The eighth day is a special day. Something new has happened. The priest has looked and evidence shows – cleansed. A miracle of healing has happened. God has worked and one is restored to God’s people. He takes his place – BEFORE THE LORD. In every aspect of cleansing, whether it be that cleansing from leprosy in the body, mildew in the house, uncleanness of the soul or any uncleanness – there is a cleansing that God makes possible. I thank God for the full and complete cleansing He has given.
“There is no way, O God, that we can ever express the relief of the cleansing that You have made possible for those have had the awfulness of sin upon the soul. When the way of cleansing is made known, we come in all confidence to Thee, trusting in the acceptance made possible through the cleansing power of Christ’s blood. I come before Thee, In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”