THE UNTOUCHABLES

Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. (Matthew 8:3)

It’s that time of year when we’re more conscious of germs. Sanitizer bottles are empty. Soap dispensers are working overtime. Moms are telling their kids, “Where’s your coat?” And some are little more reluctant to shake hands for fear of receiving an unwanted gift. 

It’s all unseen, this world of germs and microbes, that when put under the microscope look like aliens and monsters all out to put you down for a few days. That is, unless you’ve already had a round of that particular rhinovirus. 

I’m not an authority in biology or medicine, but they tell me once you’ve had a bout with one particular virus, it can’t get you again because your body has learned how to defend itself.

Matthew includes a particular detail as he’s writing about the healing of this leper in chap. 8: “Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him…” It wasn’t acceptable. People didn’t touch lepers. Lepers were mostly quarantined in their own groups, safely away from people. It was an isolating disease, without a cure. But Jesus is making a statement by His actions: God touches the untouchable.

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! What a day, what a miracle, what a Savior.

For Jesus’ followers, this is a good place to ask ourselves, ‘Who am I afraid to touch?’ Maybe it’s not someone with rhinovirus, but I’ll bet there’s someone on your list—that list with groups, types, demographics, or particular persuasions that you don’t touch. Oh yeah, maybe you’re kind or courteous and not mean. But are you willing to get close enough to touch them?

Today you will meet people who are outcasts, not accepted by the in-crowd—the untouchables—sometimes because of fear or misunderstanding, sometimes because of grudges. Jesus is hoping that you will cross the line, open the door, walk across the room, send the text, write the note…touch them. Because today and now, you are His hands.

Prayer: Father, You demonstrate Your love for me because You spanned the gulf between us. You came to us in Your Son, Jesus, to show us that no one is beyond Your reach. Show me where I’ve been reluctant to touch, to love. Here am I, send me. 

 

THE COST OF SIN

THE COST OF SIN

Daily Reading: Gen 22:9-23:20; Mat 7:13-29

So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided."

It’s a revolting scene here in Gen. 22: a father standing over his only son with knife in hand, ready to offer him as a burnt sacrifice. God had told Abraham to take his only son to this mountain, to meet with God and then to sacrifice him to God. What kind of God would ask a man to do this? The picture of a young lad looking up at the Daddy he had loved all his life, eyes wide with terror, glancing at the knife then back to his father. His eyes communicating more than his mouth could even speak, “Why would you do this to me?”

It was a test of devotion. Only a test. But Abraham didn’t know that as he walked with the young Isaac toward the top of Mt. Moriah. And now the wood has been stacked, the lad has been restrained. The coals are ready. The knife is in hand. And just before the knife swings down to snatch the breath of life from this Hebrew boy, the voice speaks again,  

“Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.”

The devotion test was over. Abraham breathed again, wiped his eyes and cut his son loose. Did Isaac hear the voice as well? I don’t know. I hope he did. The main thing is that Abraham passed the test and now the boy would live. 

Then there’s the sound of a ram, caught by his horns in thick brush. God provided His own burnt offering. Isaac was spared. And so was the heartbreak of an old man with one son.  

You and I have been spared as well. On a cross not so far from where Abraham was tested, God the Father took His only Son, Jesus, and laid him down, restrained not by ropes but by nails. Tortured by Roman soldiers, mocked by religious Pharisees, God’s only Son was offered by God Himself. And the echoes of Abraham’s voice ring through the centuries, “God will provide for Himself the lamb” (Gen 22.8). But this time, as the Son looked up to His Father and begged the question, “God why have you forsaken me?” and terror filled his soul, there was no last-minute reprieve. The knife was not withheld. The spear in His side was not restrained. This Son was not delivered from this revolting scene. The Lamb was slain. 

So as we approach our heavenly Father today, let us be careful when we demand answers to questions like, “Father, do you really love me?” Or, “Father, how do I know that I’m forgiven and I belong to You?” And let us be quick to repent and slow to sin. Let us not say, “Sin isn’t such a big deal. Everyone does it.” Your sin and my sin is costly. And let us be grateful, “God has provided for Himself the Lamb.”  

PRAYER: Father, forgive me for the way I have minimized my sins. Forgive me for when I have looked at the cross and still said, “I’m not sure if You love me.” I rest in the truth that You provided the sacrifice for my sins in the offering of Your only Son, Jesus. His sacrifice has paid for my sins. Forever, I am loved. Forever, I’m forgiven.