A Loving Touch
Large crowds followed Jesus as He came down the mountainside. Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached Him and knelt before Him. “Lord,” the man said, “if You are willing, You can heal me and make me clean.”
Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” He said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”
Matthew 8:1-4 (NLT)
The healing of the leper in Matthew 8 is one of my all-time favorite stories in the Bible, and it’s easy to overlook. This miracle occurred immediately after the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ largest recorded public teaching. Many who heard Him teach on the mountain are following Him when the leper appears. We know nothing else about this man except that he had leprosy, a contagious, painful condition that would have made him an outcast. He approaches Jesus and states that he believes Jesus can cure this incurable condition.
And Jesus reaches out to touch this man.
Don’t miss this—it’s perhaps the most significant detail in the story. Because Jesus could have healed him from a distance with a word. We see Him do so at other times in the Gospels. It’s in His spoken word in this story that the man is healed. So why did Jesus touch him? I believe it’s because Jesus knew the loneliness this man was feeling. To be ostracized not only by society at large but by those who loved him most had to be painful and difficult.
Perhaps you feel like the man in this story. Lonely. Ostracized. Left out. Unwanted. The Good News of the Gospel is that Jesus sees you, knows you and loves you. He’s willing to reach out to you when no one else will. Healing is possible for you—spiritually, emotionally, and, yes, physically. Do you believe that He can make you clean? Are you willing to kneel at His feet and ask Him to do what only He can do?
Application
In what area of your life do you need a special touch from Jesus? Where do you need His divine healing? Ask Him to do what only He can do.
Prayer
God,
You’re the Great Healer. Thank You for intervening in my life when no one else could. Help me continue to come to You alone in my brokenness.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?