Matthew 8:1-4 ESV When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. And behold, a lepercame to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”
Two things happened in this story that would have shocked the people who witnessed it. A leper came into the midst of a large crowd, and Jesus touched him. These two things should give us courage and comfort.
Leprosy is a horrible disease that in ancient Israel destroyed a person’s body, mind, and soul. The illness not only caused horrible disfigurement but also isolated them from society and kept them from taking part in religious activities. By law the leper was an outcast who had to keep his distance from people.
The fact that this leper entered a crowded area to see Jesus shows his desperation and his faith. He had a huge problem and Jesus was the answer. Nothing was going to keep him from finding Jesus. Not his illness, not society’s opinion of him, not even the legal ramifications of his actions.
We should emulate this leper because like him, Jesus is our answer as well. We should determine to let nothing keep us from coming to him. Our position in life, society’s opinions, legal issues, nor our own inadequacies should keep us from seeking and drawing close to Jesus.
Jesus’ response to the leper was perfect (of course). He did not need to touch the man, but He did. He probably did so because the man needed human touch. According to the law he was untouchable and had been shunned by society for as long as he had been ill. God knows what we need and gives it to us when we come to Him.
According to the law, the leper was unclean. Touching him should have made Jesus unclean as well. Yet, Jesus touch cleansed the man instead. It does not matter what filth, disease, or perversion makes us unclean, coming to Jesus is the answer. His touch cleanses us.
We have problems. Jesus is the answer to our problems. Draw close to Him. Let His touch heal you.
Lord, You are the answer! You are Provider, Healer, Creator, and Redeemer. Here I am. Draw me ever closer. Touch me and transform me into the man You have called me to be.