The Unclean People

Base text: Leviticus 13

I. Understanding Uncleanness
   A. Under the old law, some people declared unclean
      1. Some people temporarily made unclean by touching a dead 
         animal, having a menstrual period, etc. (cf. Leviticus 15)
      2. Some, however, were declared unclean on account of a 
         chronic condition, especially skin diseases!
      3. Leviticus 13 describes these skin diseases and their 
         symptoms, and provides demonstration of what to do
   B. Leviticus 13:45-46: unclean person cast out
      1. Was to live alone outside the camp
      2. Was to cry out, "unclean!" "unclean!" to warn others
   C. Purpose not evil: health of the community!
      1. God is not inherently punishing these people, but 
         attempting to protect the healthy
      2. Good science: prevention is the best medicine, and if a 
         disease has no cure, isolation is the only way to limit 
         infections!
   D. Nevertheless, rather humiliating and difficult
      1. Persons not only have to suffer the illness, but are 
         excluded from society and viewed as outcasts!
      2. Must intentionally keep others away from them!
      3. A miserable existence, indeed

II. Unclean Persons in Gospels
   A. We can see different responses to unclean people in the 
      Gospels
   B. The Pharisees
      1. What do you think the Pharisees would have done if they 
         came upon a leper or some other unclean person?
      2. We know how they feel about sinners (cf. Matthew 9:11-13, 
         Luke 7:36-50)!
      3. How would they feel about one who is unclean, and who 
         could transmit their ritual uncleanness to them?
   C. Jesus
      1. What does Jesus do when confronted by lepers and all sorts 
         of unclean people?
      2. He has compassion on them and heals them (cf. 
         Matthew 11:4-5, Luke 17:12-19)
   D. Consider Matthew 9:20-22
      1. This woman with a discharge is ritually unclean 
         (cf. Leviticus 15:25-28)
      2. Did Jesus condemn the woman because by the contact there 
         was, in theory, uncleanness for Him?
      3. By no means; He simply wanted to know for what reason 
         His power went out, and gladly declared her well!

III. "Uncleanness" Today
   A. While there is no literal uncleanness today, as we are under 
      the new covenant (Ephesians 2:11-18, Hebrews 7-9; cf. 
      Romans 14), there are many considered as unclean
   B. People suffer from many diseases today
   C. There are also many people who are social outcasts, whom many 
      would rather forget than accept
      1. Homeless persons, perhaps
      2. People suffering from AIDS or other such diseases
      3. Other forms of poor persons
      4. Drug users
      5. Prostitutes
      6. …and we could probably continue!
   D. What are the possible reactions we can have to such persons?
   E. We could, perhaps, just avoid them lest we be "contaminated"
      1. More of what the Pharisees would do
      2. They did not associate with "sinners" lest they become 
         "tainted" (Matthew 9:11-13, Luke 7:36-50)
      3. It's easier to avoid such persons, no?
      4. But is this what Jesus would have us do?
   F. We could also have compassion, as Jesus did
      1. Did Jesus approve of sin and extortion by eating with 
         sinners and tax collectors (Matthew 9:10-13)?
      2. By no means!
      3. Nevertheless, Jesus ate with them, because they were sick 
         and needed the Physician
   G. Consider Matthew 25:31-46
      1. Christ expects us to even visit the "sick and in prison"!
      2. That might include "bad" people, people considered 
         "unclean" by society!
      3. Does this mean that we legitimate sin?  Absolutely not!
      4. How can they learn to avoid sin and to be cleansed unless 
         we take the Gospel to them (Romans 10:13-17)?

IV. Conclusion
   A. Let us reflect on "unclean" people
      1. They are in misery
      2. They suffer, both physically and emotionally/mentally
      3. They are in need of a Physician
   B. This is true of ritually unclean persons in the old law, and 
      it is true of "unclean" elements of our own society!
   C. The ill need a doctor
      1. We can feel compassion for the physically ill and minister
         to them
      2. We need to feel compassion for the spiritually ill and 
         minister to them
      3. The ones who know they are spiritually ill are most likely 
         not in nice houses in pretty neighborhoods...
      4. ...we may have to associate with those like "tax 
         collectors and sinners!"
   D. Will we respond as the Pharisees would or as Jesus desires?
   E. Will Jesus be able to say that we visited the least of 
      people in their times of need?
   F. Let us reflect on these things and consider ourselves!
   G. Invitation/songbook