Jesus Reached Out His Hand and Touched Him

The power of touch.

The value of touch.

The human need to be touched.

Some folks are touch-me-nots. They are the ones who are known to use phrases such as "personal space" or "my bubble." Other folks are handsy. It seems they hug everyone they see, they can't have a conversation without grabbing an arm, touching a shoulder. And then there are people who fall anywhere in between.

A man with a serious skin disease came to Jesus.

A serious skin disease.

Most people recoil when we see someone with physical issues we don't understand ... we move to the other side of the room or a different checkout line in the grocery store. We stare. We avoid eye contact. We hurry our children away in fear of catching something.

This man came to Jesus, on his knees, begging. "If You are willing, You can make me clean."

Jesus--all you have to do is want to and you can make me right...you can fix me. You can give me life again.

This man had leprosy. If anyone came near him he was required to yell, "Unclean! Unclean!" as a warning. Understand, people with leprosy were sent away. They could no longer live with others. Family members could see them, but only from a distance.

If I had leprosy, my children would bring me food, but they would have to place it on the ground and move far away before I could pick it up.

I could no longer kiss away her tears, stroke his hair as he slept, give hugs good-bye or be close enough to whisper "I love you."

This man had leprosy. We don't know how long it had been since someone touched him.

And in his desperation he came to Jesus, begging "If you're willing..."

And moved with compassion,  Jesus reached out His hand and TOUCHED HIM.

"I am willing," Jesus told him. "Be made clean."

Immediately the disease left him.

Jesus restored this man. He woke up that morning in desperation and in a moment--Jesus reached out His hand and touched him--healing pushed desperation into the past.

I am reminded of the day I cried out --"Lord if You're willing" and He healed my sin sickness. He reached out and touched my soul and my guilt left me. I am also reminded of countless times since that day I have cried out "Lord if You're willing." He heals my broken heart. He gives me hope when the day is dark. He restores joy when circumstances threaten to steal it away. When I am backed in a corner and see no good thing coming from what is happening in life, He whispers "I am willing."

 My Jesus--the same yesterday, today and forever.

Call out to Him. He is willing.