Pastor’s Corner: “The Touch of Jesus”
Matthew 8:1-3 (NCV) – When Jesus came down from the hill, great crowds followed him. 2 Then a man with a skin disease came to Jesus. The man bowed down before him and said, “Lord, you can heal me if you will.” 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man and said, “I will. Be healed!” And immediately the man was healed from his disease.
Of all diseases, leprosy is the only one singled out by the law of Moses and linked with sin. It’s not that having leprosy was sinful, nor was it the result of sin. Rather, the disease was seen as a graphic symbol of sin. If we could see sin, it would look something like leprosy. What a graphic reminder of how sin affects our hearts and minds. Although unseen on the outside, the slow decay of sin takes over and destroys us from the inside out.
In Matthew 8 we read about a leper who fell on his knees before Jesus and made his request: “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” It’s the first instance in the Gospels of a plain request for healing—touching and profound in its simplicity and Jesus was moved with compassion.
People normally felt sympathy for the sick and troubled, but not for lepers. Because they were “unclean” both ceremonially and physically (Leviticus 13:45; 22:4), they were considered repulsive in every way and banished from society. Nevertheless, Jesus was “willing” to reach out to this desperate, disease-ridden man and actually touch him! Why did Jesus touch this man? He could have healed him just by saying, “Be cleansed.” But His touch illustrated His great compassion.
The only people who can be around something contagious are the ones who are immune. They have fought the virus and won. How could Jesus touch this man? The power within Him was greater than the power of leprosy. And the power of His love was greater than fear. Leprosy was no match for the Life-giver and Creator. So this leper went home healed and hugged his family for the first time in a long time! Not only was he healed, he was touched by the Savior. What a day, what a miracle, what a Savior.
In this day and age of COVID-19, masks and social distancing, the need for the touch of Jesus is more relevant and real than a cute Bible story. Not only do people need healing, but they need compassion, love and touch. A Harvard study says that people who grow up in homes where there is warm physical contact are 71% less likely to suffer health problems such as ulcers and heart disease. This is scientific proof that certifies the obvious. Not only do people need healing, they need the touch of the Savior.
Jesus is willing to touch the untouchables. How about you? Not just people with disease, but people who are outcasts, unclean, repulsive and not accepted by society—the untouchables. People who have been beat down and broken by life and desperately need the touch of Jesus. We are the hands and feet of Christ Jesus and His touch comes from us.
I am so thankful that Jesus loves sinners. Because, that means He loves me. Although our sin may not be visible from the outside, God sees our hearts. He can see the repulsive leprosy like decay from the inside and yet, He has compassion, love, mercy, grace and is still willing to reach out and touch us. Thank You Lord – what an amazing Savior! Jesus loves sinners. Do we?
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton