Of all the sicknesses that are mentioned in the Bible, leprosy is one of the main ones linked with sin in the Old Testament Law. But it’s not that having leprosy was sinful. And leprosy wasn’t because people lived bad lives.

Instead, in the Bible, the disease was seen as a symbol of sin. If we could see sin, it would look something like leprosy. Lepers were cut off from friends, family and their community. They had to live alone where they couldn’t infect anyone else.

In Mark 1 we read about a leper who fell on his knees before Jesus and said: “If you are willing, you can make me clean” (V.40). Jesus was “moved with compassion” (V.41 NKJV).

People normally felt sorry for sick people—but not for lepers, because they were thought of as “unclean” in every way (LEV. 13:45; 22:4). Nevertheless, Jesus was willing to reach out to this desperate, helpless man and actually touch him! At that very moment the leprosy left him and he was made new.

Why did Jesus touch this man? He could have made him better just by saying, “Be cleaned”. But His touch showed His great love and willingness to fully connect with His people. Jesus loves people who are cut off and hurting. Do we?

By: David Roper

To Pray About . . .

Jesus, please help me to reach out and help the hurting people I meet.