Matters of Faith: Just a Touch!

Luke 5:12-16 (NKJV)
“And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.’ Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be cleansed.’ Immediately the leprosy left him.”

When you touch someone or something, you have made two things come together. Webster’s Dictionary says that to touch is to “bring a bodily part into contact with especially so as to perceive through the tactile (physical) sense.” However, the Bible uses the Greek word for touch, haptomai, which has a much more dynamic definition that our English word. Haptomai means to fasten one’s self to; to cling to. This is significant in the context of this scripture because the man in question had leprosy, a very contagious and fatal disease that required him to be quarantined. The law concerning leprosy is spelled out in chapters 13 and 14 of Leviticus. According to the law, people with leprosy were not to be touched. Jesus defied the law by touching the man. But He did more than touch him, He fastened Himself to the man.

Even more noteworthy is that in those days, in addition to being a physical illness, leprosy was also considered divine judgment for sin. Religious leaders and laymen who witnessed Jesus touching the man were probably shocked. His sin was evident in his disease. Yet, Jesus chose to touch the leper. Just the touch of His hand and the man was healed and restored to community.
Follow the sequence of events and you’ll see a man who stepped out on faith. He sought out Jesus, he humbled himself when he found Him, and boldly implored Him for help, believing he would do it.

Often people say they desire things, but lack the faith and aren’t bold enough to ask the Lord for what they desire. The man with leprosy is an example for us. He had nothing to lose and everything to gain. He went for it! What do you desire? Do you need to be cured? Are you in need of spiritual intervention? Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone? Your blessing could be just a touch away.

Be Blessed +++

20161113_JLRussellRev. J. Loren Russell (#jlorenr) is an associate minister at both Goodwill and The Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx; President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting; and host of “Matters of Faith: The Radio Show” on Soul 1 Radio Mondays 8:00 – 10:00 PM. Listen here or by phone at 626-226-1448. Be sure to friend “Matters of Faith” on Facebook, Twitter @jlorenr, and email us at matteroffaith.mof@gmail.com.

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