Touching The Untouchable
Submitted by Frank Williams
August 12, 2024
Mt 8:3 And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Since leprosy was so contagious, lepers were forbidden to be in the general public. Leprosy disfigured the body, and it was sometimes fatal. So, a leper could not approach within six feet of any person, and he was to warn people as he approached, crying out, “Unclean, unclean” (Lev 13:45).
Yet here, instead of receiving a beating, we see the Lord touching the untouchable.
In the Bible, leprosy is a type of sin, and sin is very contagious. Attitudes and behaviors are influenced by sin. Every sin is addictive, and once a particular sin gets a strong hold on us, it is very hard to break away from it. Sins of the tongue are especially hard to break.
But it is not impossible. Jesus came to set captives free, to set at liberty them that are bruised (Luke 4:18). Knowing he needed help and that Jesus was the One to help him, this leper approached Jesus boldly. He came regardless of what people thought, and he believed that Jesus could make him clean. He dared to have faith in the Son of God.
This is the first healing miracle recorded in Matthew. People knew that only God could cure leprosy, as He did with Naaman in 2 Kings 5. So, this miracle proves that Jesus is both God and the promised Messiah, King of Israel. He not only pronounced the leper cured, as the priests did, but He cleansed the leper. He took the leprosy away. He cleansed him thoroughly and completely.
We are all infected with sin—by nature and by choice. But the touch of the Lord Jesus can cleanse ANY sin. Through His grace, we can be made squeaky clean.
So when my heart fails, and my corruptions rage, and my faith is weak, and my devotion is cold, and I feel untouchable—these are reasons why I need a fresh touch from the loving and gracious hand of the Lord.
Amazingly, His hand molded the world. His hand holds the pillars of the earth. His hand breaks in pieces His enemies. It can also cool my burning brow and calm my troubled heart. His touch can renew my mind. His tender touch shows me how much He cares for me.
Why should I not feel that hand touching me today?
Consider – The hands of Jesus that touch you still have the holes left by iron stakes. These precious hands were pierced for you, that you might be healed—loved—forgiven--changed.
