Touch The Untouchable

The fact that Jesus touched the untouchable leper was a miracle unto itself.
May we be people who do that same.

 

In this first chapter of Mark, we have specific illness that Jesus heals, one which has caused fear and loathing for centuries: leprosy. What is amazing about this story is Jesus was willing to touch the man. At this time touching lepers was forbidden because of how contagious leprosy could be.

Jesus broke the Jewish Law and societal stigmas around touching the untouchable leper. because He knew that His hope lay in heaven, not earth, and He knew He ultimately had nothing to be afraid of. The site of the desperate man moved Jesus to compassion that He could not help but offer his hang to touch him.

Breaking the Law

As most of us know, Jesus showed us that the two greatest commandments were loving God and loving our neighbor as ourself. (For more on the this, read The Four Loves.) It was in this moment of touching the leper, Jesus broke the Law that said to keep away from anything unclean and yet fulfilled it at the same time, by loving His neighbor. To have a Rabbi and man of the Law touch him must have done much for the man. Imagine being cut off from friends and family, where for many years of his life he could not participate as a normal part of Jewish culture and life.

Getting Dirty

We need to remember this about our faith that is rooted in Jesus. Jesus wasn't afraid to make a mess and get dirty for the sake of the other. He knew compassion could not withhold healing for those crying out in desperation and we need to have our hearts, minds and hands open to touching the desperate we encounter on the streets of today.

Sign and Wonder

We must also remember that two amazing miracles happened here. First, Jesus broke the rules on touching the unclean with His touch of compassion. But secondly, the moment didn't stop with the touch. Rather, He brought the supernatural healing to the leper as a sign and wonder to the reality of Him as God. The healing itself was an act of justice on the part of Jesus and we must be people who allow for such opportunities in our midst. For more on the sign and wonder, read here.