Touching the Untouchable

“While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” – Luke 5:12  There were two forms of leprosy, one was like a very bad skin rash. The other started from a small spot, and ate away the flesh until the only the stump of a hand or leg was left. This was probably the type of leprosy that the man in this passage suffered from. Luke says he was “covered” with leprosy. When he walked down the street, people kept their distance. Mothers covered their children’s eyes. Doctors shook their heads.

When the leper saw Jesus he knew this Man held life in His hands. And in a desperate lunge of faith, falling in the dust before Jesus, he spoke in a trembling voice: “Lord, if you are willing…” No bargaining, no expectations. Just a glint of faith, and that was enough to open the floodgates of Jesus’ compassion.

“And He stretched out his hand, and touched him saying, “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.” (vs 13) Did you see what Jesus did? He reached out and “touched” the leper. He could have healed him from a distance, as a doctor might call your prescription in to a local drugstore. But Jesus came to touch the untouchables.