Disciples Digital Library

The new priesthood after the order of Melchizedek inaugurated in Jesus means a CHANGE OF LAW . The letter to the Hebrews is structured around comparisons that demonstrate the superiority of the “ word spoken in the Son ” over past revelations “ spoken in the prophets ,” including Moses. Jesus surpasses even the Great Lawgiver.

Jesus cleansed a leper by touching him contrary to the regulations governing ritual purity, and his actions did not render him “unclean” in God’s eyes .  The touch of Jesus cleansed a leper from ritual impurity, thus restoring him physically AND religiously. Remarkably, he touched the man BEFORE he was cleansed, and before the required ritual by a priest. Any concern over contracting “uncleanness” did not stop the Messiah from healing one of the sons of Israel.

God has spoken His superior “ word ” in His son, Jesus - “ upon the end of these days .” This last clause refers to the end of the period epitomized by the Levitical code with its priesthood and animal sacrifices centered in the Tabernacle, and later, in Jerusalem. With the exaltation of the Son, a new and final era commenced.

The touch of Jesus cleansed a leper, and the forbidden physical contact did not render him unclean  – Mark 1:40-45.  His touch cleansed a leper from ritual impurity, restoring him physically  AND  religiously. And Jesus touched him  BEFORE  he was cleansed of his  ritual defilement. Any concern over contracting “uncleanness” did not stop the Messiah from healing a son of Israel- (Mark 1:40-45).

In  Mark , the city of Jerusalem is the headquarters of the opposition to Jesus, especially the priestly authorities of the Temple. As his popularity grows, he experiences growing conflict with the religious authorities, the Pharisees, the scribes, and the representatives of the high priest. And his enemies began to plot his destruction.

  The Touch of Jesus Cleanses a Leper . Leprosy was a skin ailment, one of the most feared afflictions in the ancient world and particularly dreaded in Israel. Contracting leprosy meant inevitable death preceded by isolation from one’s family, home and society for however many miserable years remained in one’s life. Most ominous for the leper was his or her exclusion from the religious institutions and practices of Israel.

In its eighth chapter,  Hebrews  highlights the incomparable benefits believers have received in the New Covenant inaugurated by Jesus. If the fulfillment of God’s promises has arrived in him, returning to the incomplete revelations of the past amounts to embracing types and “ shadows ” rather than the substance and reality that God has provided in His Son.

Jesus healed two women, restoring both to a state of ritual purity  –  Mark 5:21-43 . Mark  presents two stories about women in need of healing. The theme that links the two accounts is that of a woman in need of physical healing and restoration to a state of ritual purity. Both were “unclean” due to their physical condition; the first was because of a flow of blood, and the second due to her recent death.

Paul argues for tolerance in the church on food regulations and the observation of holy days – The shadows now find their fulfillment in Jesus. The law of Moses specified what foods the people of God could eat by distinguishing between “clean” and “unclean,” and the consumption of the latter was forbidden. A comprehensive description of the dietary regulations is found in the eleventh chapter of the book of Leviticus .

Fasting was a customary practice on the annual Day of Atonement among Jews of Christ's time, although the Mosaic Law did not specify or require fasting on that feast ( Leviticus 16:29 ).