The Holiness Code of Leviticus teaches that wholeness is a symbol for holiness. Any deviation from individual wholeness represents impurity and sin. It was only when the priest declared someone to be clean that they were restored to the sanctuary, the presence of God. In Matthew 8:2, Jesus is met by a leper who calls out, Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.
In compassion, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. This would have been shocking to the audience who would have repelled from the leper least they became unclean by touching him. Rather than becoming unclean himself, Jesus is able to make the leper clean. Having experienced the mercy of God, this leper would be restored not only to the community but to the sanctuary, the place where the Lord manifested his presence. All disease and sickness is proof of corruption in the world and evidence of the fall. Illness, disease, and death are perpetual reminders to us that sin entered the human race and with sin came death and all that it includes. True restoration is only possible through Christ, the great High Priest, who declares the sinner clean and the broken whole.
8 Le sacrificateur l'examinera. Si la dartre s'est étendue sur la peau, le sacrificateur le déclarera impur: c'est la lèpre.