A leper came to him begging him, and kneeling he said to him, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.’ Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, ‘I do choose. Be made clean!’ Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.

                                                                                                                                                                            Mark 1: 40-45 

Jesus could have healed this man just by saying the word.  Remember the Centurion who came to Jesus asking him to heal his son?  He said he wasn’t worthy to have Jesus come into his house, but if he would just say the word the boy would be healed. The boy was immediately healed.  Jesus did not have to touch this man with a terribly repulsive and contagious disease.  But, moved by pity, Jesus touched him and healed him. 

Touch is such an important thing.  The ill, the elderly, the dying, all long for human touch.  Touching someone is an intimate and loving thing to do.  Dr. David Lose comments on this passage saying, Here, too, is God's character revealed, as we discover a God so eager to be in relationship with us that God takes on our form and flesh, assumes our lot and our life, so that God can reach out to touch us in love.

Is there someone you could touch today?  Give a squeeze to your kids or grandkids.  Embrace your spouse.  Hold the hand of someone in the hospital.  Hug a friend who is grieving.  If someone you love lives at a distance reach out and touch them with a phone call.  Social media may be great, but it is a poor substitute for physical contact and human touch.  God in Christ has reached out and touched each one of us assuring us that God is always with us.  Be the hand of Jesus today and reach out and touch someone. 

Pastor Paul