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Jesus came to fulfill the law. Jesus consistently flouted the ceremonial laws of cleanliness. How can we put these two statements together?
Perhaps the "uncleanness" laws are misnamed. The intention of the laws is not to invent new ways to be estranged and exiled from God. The heart of the laws is instead the mechanism for cleansing, renewal, restoration. They are "cleansing laws," showing Israel how she can be liberated from death and dirt and enter the presence of God. By cleansing lepers, casting out unclean spirits, entering rooms with dead bodies to raise them, allowing himself to be touched by a woman with a 12-year issue of blood, Jesus was fulfilling all that these laws intended - the cleansing of Israel.
posted by Peter J. Leithart on Tuesday, March 08, 2005 at 11:32 AM
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