Old Testament reading: Leviticus 14-15
Leviticus 14 begins with an interesting text regarding the restoration of the leper who is now healed, and concludes with a similar section on the cleanliness of homes once Israel entered Canaan. Some commentators believe the various cleansings and sacrifices for the leper serve to represent sin and those offerings for the same. There is no indication that leprosy is associated with sin, only that in the ritual cleansing do we see a similar picture of sin. This idea would be consistent with many of the pictures we see among the “odd” laws of Israel (cf Deut 22:10-11). Leviticus 15:1-15 reveals to us the omniscience and benevolence of God in the laws concerning discharges related to disease or infection. We see the protective and benevolent nature of God’s commands of separation from disease. God’s omniscience is seen in the command to wash in water and bathing in running water (v 13).
New Testament reading: John 10-11
“I am the resurrection and the life” (11:25) Likely no words are more oft-quoted at funeral than those in this text. And for good reason, for no greater words of hope have ever been voiced or penned than these. By them we are comforted to know that this life is not the end. In fact, they barely constitute the beginning when considered in view of eternity. Our faithful obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ makes all the difference between “goodbye” and “see you later.” For the unbelieving and disobedient, death marks goodbye: goodbye to our loved ones, goodbye to hope. For the faithful child of God, death marks the beginning of one’s journey into eternity, to be reunited with the faithful of all the ages. But even greater than this is the hope and expectation to see Him Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might redeem us from this present evil world (Gal 1:3-5).
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