Jesus touched him

In Jesus' day, a leper was an outcast. People with skin diseases were declared unclean and had to live apart from their families and communities. If anyone came near, they had to call out a warning. Many went for years without feeling the touch of another human being.

"Then a leper came to Jesus, begging on his knees: 'If You are willing, You can make me clean.'" He did not doubt Jesus' power. What he doubted was whether Jesus would want to help someone like him.

Mark writes: "Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. 'I am willing,' He said. 'Be clean!'"

Jesus could have healed him with a word from a distance. He did exactly that for others. But here he deliberately reached out and touched him. Before the man's skin was even clean, he felt human warmth and acceptance again.

Under the law, touching a leper made you unclean. But when Jesus touched him, the uncleanness did not spread to Jesus. Instead, his cleanness spread to the leper.

Whatever makes you feel unworthy, ashamed or untouchable, Jesus is still willing to reach out to you.

Reflect

• Is there something in my life, past or present, that makes me feel "unclean" or unworthy to come close to God?
• Who around me feels isolated or untouchable, and how could I show them some of Jesus' compassion this week?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that you are not only able to make me clean but also willing. Reach into the places I feel ashamed and unworthy, and touch me with your compassion. Then make me someone who reaches out to the lonely and the left out, as you did. In Jesus' Name, Amen.