November 27


Touching Lepers


And behold, a leper came and worshipped Him, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, You could make me clean.” Then Jesus put out His hand and touched Him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Matthew 8:2-3 (NKJV)


For a healthy person, especially a Jewish rabbi, to touch a leper in New Testament times was unheard of. But Jesus did. His touch was not only a healing touch, it was heroic. But then, this was the very hand of God reaching out to a sick and sinful world.

Once again, Jesus reminds us just how deeply God loves us … in spite of our sin … in spite of our disease (Romans 5:8). And in Jesus, we have our example. So, if we are to be true Christians (truly “like Christ”), won’t we love the unlovely? Won't we care for the castoffs? Won’t we touch the untouchable?

The thought begs the question, who are our lepers? We don’t see real lepers on our streets, do we? But society does have its castoffs. What of the so many someones suffering from physical, mental, or social disease? The people, both young and old, dieing from AIDS? The criminal whose gross acts have landed him behind bars? The homeless woman who lives out of her car or rides the subway all night long? Does Jesus not love them? Shouldn’t we? Sometimes a healing touch comes in the form of a smile, an acknowledgement or a kind word. Sometimes it’s more, but usually it’s not less.

So what’s wrong? What are we afraid of? Do we fear being contaminated … by fellow lepers? Or do we realize our other great sickness—not doing the healing work of the One who healed us?


Father, forgive me for being slow to show love, for thinking of myself as better when really I am not. Heal this cold heart of mine. Amen.