Tazria/Metzora “Conceived” / ”Leper” Leviticus 12:1–15:33 2 Kings 7:3–20 Luke 10–13 The Work of a True Shepherd The Torah was given not only to the people of Israel to teach them how to live. It was also given to the priest to teach them how to treat the people. We see this principle in this week’s reading. This portion of Leviticus can be at the very least a bit tedious to read through. After all, what does leprosy have to do with our lives today? When was the last time you turned on the news and heard about an outbreak of leprosy? (I know, just wait a few days!) So, if leprosy does not affect us today, should we just skip this section and go on to something more relevant? Maybe we should look past the surface to a deeper and maybe even greater meaning. Consider the priests when it came to the subject of leprosy. They were not only in charge of the spiritual needs of the people of the day; they were also in charge of the physical needs. They were to fulfill the role of Pastor, Shepherd, Physician and much more in the lives of the people HaShem had placed in their care. In these instructions concerning leprosy it was tedious work for the priest to examine the person who had a sore. In fact, it was not just a one-time office visit, but would also have a follow-up after seven days. Where am I going with this? When examining the folks who came before them, the priests had to be in contact with the people; they had to be a part of their lives, they had to learn a personal love for them. The priest should never allow himself to be more than just another human being HaShem had called to a special duty. The priest was to remember daily as he looked into his mirror that he was just as human as those in his care. He was not better than anyone else, nor higher, nor holier. He was a mortal who had been given the greatest of responsibility, care for God's family. As we read the chapters of Luke this week we can see into the heart attitude of the priests in the time of Yeshua. They no longer cared about the people. They had set up their class system of priests and people, clergy and laity. They were no longer concerned about the welfare of the people and about their needs. The priests were only concerned about themselves, about their appearances, about their lives and their lifestyles. Into this situation comes Yeshua. As we read His words we are also able to read His heart. He is restoring before the eyes of false shepherds, false priests and false physicians what it truly means to love another person more that you love yourself. His words and actions are a model to everyone what it means to love another more than yourself. In the midst of a system of self-love and self-gratification, Yeshua is walking by example the kind of love that lays ones life down for his friends. We live in a day not unlike the time of Yeshua in many ways. People are hurting, spiritually, emotionally and physically. They are like sheep without true shepherds. Yes, many of them may be going to church Sunday after Sunday or to congregation meetings Shabbat after Shabbat. They are listening to message after message, reading after reading from people who call themselves Pastors, Rabbis or Shepherds. But these people walk away without their needs met, without feeling the true love of a true shepherd. Those who call themselves shepherds have once again forgotten the principles of Torah, personal contact and love for those entrusted by God Himself into their care. Today, shepherds need to repent, return to loving the family of God in the manner Torah teaches us; in the manner Yeshua teaches. You may be saying, "I am not a Shepherd. This does not pertain to me." Truth is, we are all called to be shepherds to someone. A husband is a shepherd to his wife; a father or mother is a shepherd to their family; a youth can be called to shepherd their younger siblings or to his or her peers. We all have people HaShem has placed in our care, as a priest, to lead to the presence of God through Yeshua Messiah, as a shepherd to help care for and protect, and even a physician who can lead them to the healing oils of the scripture. Take a moment to consider those He has placed in your care. What kind of shepherd are you in their lives? Are you loving them the way Torah teaches, the way Yeshua teaches, or the way man and man’s systems teach?