JESUS TOUCHED THE UNTOUCHABLES - In Scripture the leper is symbolic of the ultimate outcast: infected by a condition he did not seek, rejected by those he knew, avoided by people he did not know, condemned to a future he could not bear… The touch did not heal the disease. It was the pronouncement and not the touch of Christ that cured the condition. The infection was banished by a word from Jesus. The loneliness, however, was treated by a touch from Jesus. Jesus touched the untouchables of the world. When Jesus came down from the hill, great crowds followed him. Then a man with a skin disease came to Jesus. The man bowed down before him and said, “Lord, you can heal me if you will.” Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man and said, “I will. Be healed!” And immediately the man was healed from his disease. I wonder… about the man who felt Jesus’ compassionate touch. He makes one appearance, has one request, and receives one touch. But that one touch changed his life forever…. In New Testament times leprosy was the most dreaded disease. The condition rendered the body a mass of ulcers and decay. Fingers would curl and gnarl. Blotches of skin would discolor and stink. Leprosy would numb nerve endings, leading to a loss of fingers, toes, even a whole foot or hand. Leprosy was death by inches. Considered contagious, the leper was quarantined, banished to a leper colony.

..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Jesus Touched the Untouchables

Jesus touched the untouchables of the world

.

In Scripture the leper is symbolic of the ultimate outcast: infected by a condition he did not seek, rejected by those he knew, avoided by people he did not know, condemned to a future he could not bear… The touch did not heal the disease. It was the pronouncement and not the touch of Christ that cured the condition. The infection was banished by a word from Jesus. The loneliness, however, was treated by a touch from Jesus. 

by Max Lucado

UpWords

 

When Jesus came down from the hill, great crowds followed him.

Then a man with a skin disease came to Jesus.

The man bowed down before him and said, “Lord, you can heal me if you will.”

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man and said, “I will. Be healed!”

And immediately the man was healed from his disease.  - Matthew 8:1-3

I wonder… about the man who felt Jesus’ compassionate touch. He makes one appearance, has one request, and receives one touch.

But that one touch changed his life forever…. 

I wonder about this man because in New Testament times leprosy was the most dreaded disease.

The condition rendered the body a mass of ulcers and decay.

Fingers would curl and gnarl. Blotches of skin would discolor and stink.

Certain types of leprosy would numb nerve endings, leading to a loss of fingers, toes, even a whole foot or hand.

Leprosy was death by inches.

The social consequences were as severe as the physical. Considered contagious, the leper was quarantined, banished to a leper colony.

In Scripture the leper is symbolic of the ultimate outcast: infected by a condition he did not seek, rejected by those he knew, avoided by people he did not know, condemned to a future he could not bear…

The touch did not heal the disease, you know.

Matthew is careful to mention that it was the pronouncement and not the touch of Christ that cured the condition.

“Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man and said, ‘I will. Be healed!’ And immediately the man was healed from his disease” (Matthew 8:3).

The infection was banished by a word from Jesus.

The loneliness, however, was treated by a touch from Jesus.

Jesus touched the untouchables of the world.

Max Lucado is a pastor, speaker, and best-selling author who, in his own words, “writes books for people who don’t read books.” He serves the people of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas, and his message is for the hurting, the guilty, the lonely, and the discouraged: God loves you; let him.

As a writer, Max is known for combining poetic storytelling and homespun humor with the heart of a pastor. All of his trade books began as sermon series at Oak Hills Church, and his sermons all begin with Max asking himself this question: “What can I say on Sunday that will still matter on Monday?” He’s been dubbed “America’s Pastor” by Christianity Today, and “The Best Preacher in America” by Reader’s Digest.

https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/upwords/upwords-week-of-may-8-14-11603320.html

You might also like:

 

He Touched Me 

William J. Gaither

CLICK HERE . . . to view complete playlist . . . 

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2018/05/he-touched-me-william-j-gaither-hackled.html

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

He Touched Me

Jesus will reach out to you if you call out to him

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . . 

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2020/10/he-touched-me-jesus-has-power-to-heal.html

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Touch

Without the personal touch, full healing never comes

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . . 

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2020/07/touch-without-personal-touch-full.html

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

The Disease

How would you feel if you had The Disease?

CLICK HERE . . . to view complete playlist . . . 

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2020/09/the-disease-how-would-you-feel-if-you.html

.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Biblical Leprosy

The disease that Shuns

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . . 

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2020/08/biblical-leprosy-jesus-freely-touched.html

................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 

Get Unstuck from Your Issues

Your turn-around begins

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . .

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2020/03/how-to-get-unstuck-from-your-issues.html

.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Fear of Germs Phobia

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . . 

https://puricare.blogspot.com/2020/12/fear-of-germs-phobia-mysophobia-or.html

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Quarantine

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . . 

https://puricare.blogspot.com/2020/03/quarantine-quarantine-is-state-or-place.html

HE TOUCHED ME - Jesus has the power to heal instantly or in stages. He heals one with a touch, another with a word, another with a glance, and yet another at a great distance. In this case, he touched a leper. That would have shocked his audience because leprosy was considered incurable. The leper’s faith, though filled with doubt, seems remarkable. Jesus rewards his hesitant faith with something unexpected. He touched the leper. Technically this rendered Jesus unclean - but the holiness of Christ overcame the letter of the law. Jesus will reach out to you if you call out to him - He came for sinners - “Reaching out his hand, Jesus touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be made clean.’ Immediately his leprosy was cleansed” - Jesus doesn’t treat us all the same way. He has the power to heal instantly or in stages. He heals one with a touch, another with a word, another with a glance, and yet another at a great distance. He touches one and never sees the other, and yet both are healed. In this case, he touched a leper. That would have shocked his audience because leprosy was considered incurable. No one understood its origin, and no one knew how to treat it. So much did the ancients fear it that anyone suspected of having the disease was banished from society. In the rabbinic writings nothing is listed for leprosy. The rabbis said that curing it was like raising the dead. The leper’s faith, though filled with doubt, seems remarkable.

....................................................................................................................................................

He Touched Me

.

Jesus has the power to heal instantly or in stages. He heals one with a touch, another with a word, another with a glance, and yet another at a great distance. He touched a leper - that would have shocked his audience because leprosy was considered incurable. The leper’s faith, though filled with doubt, seems remarkable. Jesus rewards his hesitant faith with something unexpected - He touched the leper. Technically this rendered Jesus unclean - but the holiness of Christ overcame the letter of the law. Jesus will reach out to you if you call out to him - He came for sinners

Ray Pritchard

 

“Reaching out his hand, Jesus touched him, saying, ‘I am willing; be made clean.’ Immediately his leprosy was cleansed” - (Matthew 8:3).

 

Jesus doesn’t treat us all the same way.

This is evident from a study of the miracles of Christ.

He has the power to heal instantly or in stages.

He heals one with a touch, another with a word, another with a glance, and yet another at a great distance.

He touches one and never sees the other, and yet both are healed.

In this case, he touched a leper.

That would have shocked his audience because leprosy was considered incurable.

No one understood its origin, and no one knew how to treat it.

So much did the ancients fear it that anyone suspected of having the disease was banished from society.

In the rabbinic writings we find remedies for various diseases.

But nothing is listed for leprosy. The rabbis said that curing it was like raising the dead.

The leper’s faith, though filled with doubt, seems remarkable.

Somehow this poor outcast, rejected by his neighbors, knows that Christ can do for him what no doctor can do.

No doubt he has heard of other miracles Christ has performed.

He thinks to himself, “If only I can get myself to Christ, he can heal me.”

Jesus rewards his hesitant faith with something unexpected. He touched the leper.

Technically this rendered him unclean in light of Leviticus 5:3.

But in this case the holiness of Christ overcame the letter of the law.

Christ touched him to identify with him and to show the crowd that he was not afraid to touch a leper.

A beloved gospel song reminds us of the powerof our Lord’s touch:

“Shackled by a heavy burden,

'Neath a load of guilt and shame.

Then the hand of Jesus touched me,

And now I am no longer the same

He touched me, Oh He touched me,

And oh the joy that floods my soul!

Something happened and now I know,

He touched me and made me whole”

Let no one say, “Jesus would never have anything to do with someone like me.”

You may be the worst sort of “moral leper,” but Jesus will reach out to you if you call out to him.

He came for sinners.

Are you a sinner?

If so, then he came for you.

Lord, we need to feel your healing touch today.

Come and heal us from the inside out because no one can help us but you.

Amen.

“Equipping and encouraging people to keep believing in Jesus”

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Dr. Ray Pritchard serves as president of Keep Believing Ministries. He has ministered extensively overseas in China, Bolivia, Columbia, Paraguay, Belize, Haiti, Nigeria, Switzerland, Russia, India, Nepal, and South Korea. He is a frequent conference speaker and guest on Christian radio and television talk shows. He has written 31 books, including Stealth Attack, The ABCs of Christmas, The Healing Power of Forgiveness, An Anchor for the Soul, The Incredible Journey of Faith, The ABCs of Wisdom, Leadership Lessons of Jesus (with Bob Briner), Why Did This Happen to Me?, and Credo: Believing in Something to Die For.

He is a co-host of Today's Issues on American Family Radio.

For 26 years he pastored churches in Los Angeles, Dallas, and Chicago. Most recently he pastored Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, IL for sixteen years. He is a graduate of Tennessee Temple University (B.A.), Dallas Theological Seminary (Th.M.) and Talbot School of Theology (D.Min.). He has been married to Marlene for 43 years. They have three sons (Josh, Mark, and Nick). Josh and Leah were married in July 2006 and have two children, Knox and Violet. Mark and Vanessa were married in July 2007 and have three children, Eli, Penny, and Zoe. Nick and Sarah were married in July 2014 and have two children, Hannah and Joshua.

Dr. Pritchard’s hobbies include biking, surfing the Internet, and anything related to the Civil War.

https://www.keepbelieving.com/he-touched-me/

You might also like:

 

He Touched 

Me 

William J. Gaither

CLICK HERE . . . to view complete playlist . . . 

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2018/05/he-touched-me-william-j-gaither-hackled.html

REACH OUT IN FAITH - As you endeavor to deal with life’s issues today, God may seem distant - but He’s not! God’s Word promises that He’s “a very present help in trouble” - and He’s close enough for you to touch. Jesus is a high priest who can be “touched” when you’re in need. He’s right where you are, ready for you to reach out in faith and receive your breakthrough. You don’t have to be in doubt about this - for the Bible says everyone who touched Jesus was made whole - And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. The Bible tells us of a woman who had “an issue of blood”. Life is full of “issues,” and as I’ve traveled around the world, I have never met anyone who wasn’t dealing with an issue of some kind. What issue are you facing today? A marital issue? An issue with your children? A financial issue? An issue with your health or the health of a loved one? The issues of life try to sap our strength and steal our joy and peace. Just as this woman experienced the bleeding away of her vitality for 12 long years, so it can seem that our resources are constantly being stolen by the enemy. But whatever your issue may be, Jesus wants to intervene so you can have a new beginning – a brand-new day.

..............................................................................................................................................

Reach Out in Faith

.

As you endeavor to deal with life’s issues today, God may seem distant - but He’s not! God’s Word promises that He’s “a very present help in trouble” - and He’s close enough for you to touch. Jesus is a high priest who can be “touched” when you’re in need. Instead of being in some faraway galaxy, He’s right where you are, ready for you to reach out in faith and receive your breakthrough. You don’t have to be in doubt about this - for the Bible says everyone who touched Jesus was made whole  

by Ayo Aoritsejafor

^“43 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. 

“⁴⁴ She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. 

“⁴⁵ And Jesus said, ‘Who was it that touched me?’ When all denied it, Peter said, ‘Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!’ 

“⁴⁶ But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.’ 

“⁴⁷ And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 

“⁴⁸ And he said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.’” - Luke 8:43-48 English Standard Version

The Bible tells us of a woman who had “an issue of blood” (Luke 8:43 KJV).

Life is full of “issues,” and as I’ve traveled around the world, I have never met anyone who wasn’t dealing with an issue of some kind.

What issue are you facing today?

A marital issue?

An issue with your children?

A financial issue?

An issue with your health or the health of a loved one?

The issues of life try to sap our strength and steal our joy and peace.

Just as this woman experienced the bleeding away of her vitality for 12 long years, so it can seem that our resources are constantly being stolen by the enemy.

But whatever your issue may be, Jesus wants to intervene so you can have a new beginning – a brand-new day.

Like the woman who had a seemingly incurable hemorrhage, your difficult situation can be remedied in an instant – but you must draw near and touch Him in faith.

A Very Present Help

As you endeavor to deal with life’s issues today, God may seem distant.

But He’s not!

God’s Word promises that He’s “a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).

And He’s close enough for you to touch.

Hebrews 4:15 (KJV) says Jesus is a high priest who can be “touched” when you’re in need.

Instead of being in some faraway galaxy, He’s right where you are, ready for you to reach out in faith and receive your breakthrough.

You don’t have to be in doubt about this, for the Bible says everyone who touched Jesus was made whole (Matthew 14:36).

Are you ready?

It’s Not Too Late

Perhaps you’re so worn down that you think it’s simply too late for your breakthrough.

However, I love the story in 2 Kings 13:21 where a dead man was dropped into the grave of the prophet Elisha.

As soon as his dead body hit the bones of the man of God, he came back to life!

Today, you may feel as if your business is dead, your marriage is dead, your health is dead, or even your hope is dead.

But I have good news: When you reach out and touch the resurrection power of Christ, He can reverse every “dead” situation in your life!

He’s ALIVE!

And when you touch Him, you’ll experience His faithfulness as your provider, healer, and deliverer.

As overwhelming as your situation may seem, remember this: “With God ALL things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).

Nothing is too difficult for the Lord! (Jeremiah 32:27)

He can turn your mourning into dancing (Psalm 30:11), your ashes into beauty (Isaiah 61:3), and your nighttime into a brand-new day!

Reach out and touch Him today!

Ayo Oritsejafor is the founding and Senior Pastor of Word of Life Bible Church in Warri, Nigeria. Oritsejafor serves as President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN). Oritsejafor is also the founder of African Broadcasting Network, an international satellite Christian television station with a coverage that spans across the whole of Africa, parts of Asia and parts of Europe. Learn more at ayo-oritsejafor.org.

https://inspiration.org/christian-articles/reach-out-in-faith/