Touching the Untouchables

I remember that near the end of my first wife's life, Margaret desired human touch, but because of the cancer that was throughout her body, touch was something that brought pain and discomfort. However, the need for human contact outweighed the pain that was caused by it. She needed to be hugged. I recalled that memory, now 17 years old, because of what I observed in church this past Sunday. I watched as some of the broken people made their way into our church. Although they did not know anyone, and I'm sure attending was in many respects uncomfortable for them, their desire for human contact outweighed their fear of pain.

A few weeks back we examined fellowship, A Shared Life in Jesus. Last week we looked at the broken people who have recently made contact with our church. Now this past Sunday, as I stood in front of the congregation I noticed one of these broken in attendance. I also began to see that there are others just as broken. Why were they at Wakefield? Was it to worship? Possibly. Was it to learn of God? Possibly. However, I must think that their desire for human contact played an important part.

In Matthew 8:1-4 we find a leper asking Jesus to heal him. "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean." Leprosy is a terrible disease, even more so in the time of Christ. People were isolated from society and considered unclean. This is important to remember as we watch Jesus heal the man. Notice the action Jesus took as He healed. "He stretched out His hand and touched him saying, 'I am willing. Be clean!'" Jesus could have healed him with only a word. But Jesus made a point of touching the untouchable.

Lynn Hall and Kari West wrote in their article, The Power of Touch, "Touch acknowledges both a shared humanness and our individual worth. It amplifies our sense of safety and security. Touch heals not only physically, but also psychologically, by affirming our need for belonging and acceptance." So, Jesus not only healed the leper, but He also affirmed the man's need for belonging and acceptance. He also provided something the leper had deeply longed for - human touch.

Look around your community. Whether that community is a neighborhood or a church, there are people who ache for human contact. Human contact for some may cause discomfort, even pain, but I am certain that their desire to be touched will overcome this. Reach out and touch the untouchables.

-Mark

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