Perhaps the most dreaded disease in biblical times was leprosy. The disease started with the extremities, eating away at fingers and toes, ears and  nose. Worse yet, having leprosy meant you were banished from your home, your family, and the community.

I can’t imagine the heartache of separation from those you love—no touch, no communication, just half-living out your life in isolation except for others who were in like circumstances. To add insult to injury, you were expected to wear rags, leave your hair disheveled, and cry out “Unclean, unclean!” if anyone happened to come near.

The rules given in Leviticus were still used in Jesus day. If you had a sore, you went to the priest. If the sore seemed more than skin deep and the hairs in it turned white, then you were quarantined for seven days.  If no change took place, you were isolated another seven days and then released. However, if the sore became worse, you were declared contagious and put out of the camp or village. If the sores healed, the only way to re-enter was to see the priest so he could declare you clean again.

The disease didn’t just attack poor, dirty people; it also struck the rich and powerful. Naaman, the commander of the army of Aram, had leprosy. Through a series of humbling experiences, he was healed by the prophet Elisha. King Azariah had to live in a separate house and died of leprosy. King Uzziah was a good king,but allowed pride and unfaithfulness to overtake him. He, too, died of leprosy.

Many in the New Testament struggled with this terrible disease. Luke tells of an occasion when ten lepers cried out to Jesus for healing. He told them,

“Go show yourselves to the priest.” And as they went, they were cleansed. Luke 17: 14

Jesus followed the law. They followed his command and “as they went” they were cleansed. Faith in action. Only one of the ten turned back when he realized he had been healed. He returned to thank Jesus. It turns out he was the only Samaritan. (One more “Good Samaritan.”)

Luke tells of another man who was “covered in leprosy.” The leper sought the healer.

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.” Luke 5:12b

Such faith. Amazingly, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. Touched a leper!

“I am willing,” Jesus said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. Luke 5:13

Jesus tells the man to go to the priest to show himself as a testimony—a testimony indeed.

I would like to have been there the first time Jesus healed a leper, except I would like to have glanced around to see how the disciples were taking this. Talking to a leper was bad enough, but to touch one was unheard of.

Are there untouchables in our lives? Ones who no one else wants to approach. The ill behaved, the lazy, the smelly, the dirty, the disheveled, the emotionally distraught, the homeless. The one who serves in menial ways. The one with less manners or less pay or less fashion. The deformed, the drooling, the one with loud outbursts.

Jesus said, “I am willing” and he touched him.

~ Joyce ~