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.