Luke 5: 12-15 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.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses.
The song by Ira F. Stanphil, He Touched Me, includes words that have touched my heart in times of trials and given me hope. Paraphrasing, it states: “He touched me, and oh, the joy that floods my soul. Something happened, and now I know, He touched me and made me whole.” The story of the man with leprosy reminds me of the power of a healing touch.
It was a bold move on the part of a man required to call out “unclean” as he walked the streets. Because of his illness, he could not attend the synagogue. He couldn’t remain in his home because everything he touched was considered unclean. He couldn’t sit with friends, shoot the breeze, and laugh at their silliness. He was isolated from family, friends, and community. He was also in great pain and suffering.
Yet, he courageously called out to the man he had heard could heal. He made a declaration of faith. “You can heal me if you are willing to do so.” That is boldness personified, and Jesus responded that He was willing. Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man, and he was cleansed then.
What’s important is that in touching a man who had not felt the touch of another person since becoming ill, Jesus restored his physical, emotional, social, and spiritual health. Jesus once again made him able to be a part of his community, walk the streets with pride, and live among the people he loved.
Jesus made him whole! Can’t you imagine the joy that flooded that man’s soul? According to Matthew’s account in chapter 8:1-4, the man was so joyful and excited that he told everyone the news of his healing, and Jesus could not enter a town with people coming from everywhere for His loving touch and healing.
Today, the healing power of touch is still needed. When we reach out and touch the hand of a lonely older adult, a child, or someone ill or grieving, we act as Jesus’s hands and share His love. Let us not be so enamored with communicating through text and email; instead, let us begin to once again talk face-to-face, willing to touch each other and listen to each other’s hearts. We need each other’s healing touch.
Amen.
Help from Heaven 