A Tale of Two Birds

Scripture Reading: Leviticus 14; Mark 1; Psalm 42

Leviticus 14 centers around dealing with those who have leprosy. One question that should come to mind as you read through this chapter, a question that helps us understand the spiritual significance of what is being said here, is this: Why does a leper go to a priest for diagnosis and cleansing instead of a physician? The answer reveals a deeper spiritual truth.

Leprosy was more than just a disease; it served as a physical metaphor for sin and its effects. While there are many rich themes in this chapter, I want to focus on one powerful image: the two birds used in the cleansing ritual.

Then, if the case of leprous disease is healed in the leprous person, the priest shall command them to take for him who is to be cleansed two live clean birds and cedarwood and scarlet yarn and hyssop. And the priest shall command them to kill one of the birds in an earthenware vessel over fresh water. He shall take the live bird with the cedarwood and the scarlet yarn and the hyssop, and dip them and the live bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water. And he shall sprinkle it seven times on him who is to be cleansed of the leprous disease. Then he shall pronounce him clean and shall let the living bird go into the open field. (Leviticus 14:3-7)

In this sacrifice, we see a striking picture: Two birds. One is killed. The other, the living bird, is dipped in the blood of the bird that was slain and then set free. The leper, now cleansed, goes free as well.

This is a foreshadowing of Christ’s sacrifice. He dies so that we might live. Because of His shed blood, we are declared clean, set free, and now walk in newness of life.

This week I have written both on Sunday and Monday about the intertexuality of Scripture. Let’s continue with that theme since we have it in our readings today of Leviticus and Mark.

Notice that in chapter one of Mark, Jesus encounters a leper. The leper prays to Jesus, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” Jesus responded, “I will, be thou clean.”

Now, put that together with what we just saw from Leviticus about leprosy. Both of these texts are connected and can and should mean a lot to each of us.

Just as the leper was pronounced clean, we too are washed by the blood of Christ and set free. May we live in the joy and gratitude of that freedom today.

Hallelujah!

two birds