Matthew and Moses (part 3)

Introduction

We have been going through the book of Matthew looking for the connections to the Books of Moses.

In fact, we are making the case that those connections even follow the order of the Books of Moses.

These are not the only connections to be made between Matthew and the Old Testament, but maybe it is the foundation of the more specific connections made in quotations and other references.

Tonight, we continue looking at those connections with the book of Leviticus.

Infirmities and Diseases

This section starts with the healing of a leper (Matt. 8:2-4).

Leprousy is the quintessential uncleanliness (

So the section is started with the taking away of the most common uncleanliness.

The subject of the next healing is a Gentile (Matt. 8:5-13).

He tells Jesus that he is not worthy for Jesus to enter his house.

He would not be worthy to approach the house of God.

But as with the leper, Jesus heals but goes further by saying his faith is greater and he will recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, while Israelites will be cast out.

Jesus comes into the house of Peter’s mother-in-law (Matt 8:14-17).

She is in bed with a “fever” (Lev. 26:16; cf. Deut. 28:22).

Many come and likewise are healed.

Then the connection is made with Isa 53:4.

Jesus heals a woman with a hemorrhage (Matt. 9:20-21).

Jesus touches a dead girl and she is raised (Matt. 9:25).

The climax of all of this is when Jesus takes away both sin and infirmity (Matt. 9:1-8).

Priests of All Men

The Pharisees tried to make priests of “all men.”

Consider the comparison of being cleansed of leprosy and becoming a priest (Ex. 29; Lev. 14).

Washed and reclothed (Ex. 29:4-5; Lev. 14:9).

Offerings made (Ex. 29:10-11; Lev. 14:10-13).

Seven days inside/outside (Ex. 29:35; Lev. 14:9).

Blood applied (Ex. 29:20; Lev. 14:14).

Anointed with oil (Ex. 29:21; Lev. 14:18).

Jesus makes it truly possible for all men to be priests.

First the leper

Then the Gentile who reclines with Abraham.

Then Peter’s mother-in-law serves the presence of the Lord.

The woman with a hemorrhage comes and touches the garment of the high priest.

He heals the blind who were specifically restricted from priesthood.

The climax here is that Matthew (Levi) can even come and serve as a priest before the Lord (Matt. 9:9-13).

Conclusion

All of this answers an important question. How did Jesus fulfill the Law?

Several of these instances would have broken the Law if Jesus has merely been a man.

But Jesus fulfilled the Law in that He brought transformation. He made the unclean, clean and even gave life which is what the Law promised.

The Law promised to make the people holy for service and Jesus shows just how far that is possible giving us a guarantee of what the Law promised in symbolism.

We can all be made clean and be confident that one day God will take away not only our sins but everything that goes along with sin.