Leviticus 14:1-13
The day of the cleansing of the leper has arrived. He is brought before the priest. Notice the inconspicuous but indispensable role of the friend who brings the sick man to the one who is going to pronounce him clean. It is precious to be used by God to lead sinners to the Lord Jesus. It is a service that even a young Christian can fulfil (John 1:42; John 1:46).
But if the priest had stayed in the tabernacle or in the camp, the leper, who had been put outside, would never have been able to meet him. The priest, therefore, went outside the camp (v. 3). To meet the sinner, Jesus left the glory. We could not take one step towards Him, and so He has come all the way to reach us. How could the prodigal son have entered his father’s house dirty and in rags? His father went out to meet him and had him dressed in the best robe while he was still outside.
As to the details of the cleansing process, the two birds together speak to us of the Divine remedy applicable to the sin of every man: the Lord’s death, the first bird was killed; His resurrection, the second bird flew away, stained with the blood which it carried up to the sky to place it symbolically before the eyes of a satisfied God.