A
man who was full of leprosy had seen Jesus, came and fell at His
feet saying the words in this morning's title from Luke 5:12. Leprosy
of course is the infectious disease that causes severe, disfiguring
skin sores and nerve damage in the arms, legs, and skin areas around
the body. Lepers were required to call out “Unclean, unclean”
whenever they approached anyone or vice versa. And this man was
disobedient in even approaching Jesus. Also, according to the Law
anyone who touched a leper was also unclean, but the very next thing
that Jesus did was to touch him. He then told the man He was willing
and He healed him (verse 13). I was not immediately sure why the
Lord had underlined verse 12 for me this morning, but when I read the
story again the fact that Jesus touched this man when He was not
supposed to stood out to me.
In some rather cruel
experiments years ago, certain newborns were deliberately not
touched, and they died. The need for human touch it huge, though for
various reasons as adults we may not be “touchy feely.” I mean
there are those who hug, and those who don't. I am a hugger, but am
very aware of others need to be touched. And of course at this time
of testing with the whatsit virus, the recommended “social
distance” of two meters, is very difficult for some. Touching
elbow to elbow has somehow caught on, and at least at this point
always seems to produce a smile. I am not sure if it is embarrassment
apologizing for not being willing to hug or shake hands, or knuckles
to knuckles as with the younger generation. But even elbow to elbow
seems to be significant.
And in the circles I
move in hugs are almost mandatory and how are we to respond to all of
this. Jesus touched the one who was unclean. He had faith that the
infection would not stick to Him. I heard a story the other day, I
don't have the details, but it was of someone who had told them to
put the virus/disease on his hand and they had watched it die. I have
no idea if this is a true story or not, but I do know of the Lord
telling a certain well know preacher to touch someone he would rather
not have touched. Where does this leave us? I am not going to make
that decision for you. I hardly know what it is for myself! What we must do is to respect others desire not to be touched, be it this time, or not!
Father, there certainly
seems to be overreaction to what is going on now. We must not give in
to fear, but we do need to be sensible. And whether is it complete
isolation or not, whether it is to hug or not to hug, or to hug some
and not others, make it very clear to us Lord. And keep us looking
up at this time, for this too shall pass, in Jesus Name Amen
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