Yesterday, Shawn spoke about the significance of touch for human beings. I’m always blown away by the intricacies of God’s design, and I love it when science and secular studies prove the very thing God’s been showing us from the start.
Since the beginning, God has shown Himself to be a personal God, desiring to connect and be present with His people and show us the way to life and restoration (His way). The path Jesus took to come to Earth to be with us shows the exact same thing. On top of it all, this instance of Jesus’ closeness to those considered (literally) untouchable stands out as a shining example of just how set apart Jesus’ ways and Kingdom are from our earthly ways.
How did the man feel as Jesus reached out for him? Did he recoil in surprise? Did he feel exposed and shameful about his condition? Did he doubt that Jesus would bring him healing instead of condemnation? I’d like to know every detail of their interaction, but what we do know is that the man with leprosy was willing to lay it all down before Jesus and have faith that if Jesus wanted to, He could do the impossible. Did Jesus need to touch the man in order to heal him? Other stories in the Bible, including the one of the centurion, show us that He didn’t. And yet Jesus chose to.
There are several ways I can see Jesus doing the same for me. Even though He doesn’t have to show up personally through prayer, He has chosen many times to do so. Even though He could heal and give me clarity immediately, He has chosen to have me wait on Him. Even though He knows my needs before I even ask Him, He has often chosen to let me wrestle and put words to the trials before me.
No matter what we’re each going through, we can know one thing for sure — in Jesus’ own words: [He] is willing! Willing to step in, willing to be present, willing to give us the supernatural touch that we desperately desire.
Help us respond to You, Jesus, with as much willingness and surrender as the man with leprosy. We need Your personal touch, and we rely on You today.