HE WANTS TO HEAL

Leviticus 1:1-3:17; Mark 1:29-2:12; Psalm 35:17-28; Proverbs 9:13-18

“A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. ‘If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,’ he said.  Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be healed!’ Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed.”

Jesus Christ, Master and Creator of the Universe and everything in it, actually wants to heal me.  And you.  Personally, up close, where it counts.  Think on it; it is really pretty amazing.  The Lord’s heart’s desire is that each and every one of His children is made whole, that their “God-shaped void” is once more filled by the Spirit, and that we live life the way it was always intended, eternally, with Him, and without anxiety or guilt.

Sounds good!  I’m up for that.  So, what’s the problem?  Come again, Lord?  You want to actually touch me?  Seriously?  Aw, c’mon, Jesus, you’re God.  Don’t put yourself out; just say the word.  That’ll be easier on us both.  You can keep your distance, and I might just be able to hang onto a little of my pride.  After all, accepting healing isn’t as easy as it sounds.  Admitting any weakness is tough.  It’s really uncomfortable letting anyone get close enough to see the true need in my eyes.  And being able to reach right out and touch it….  Are you sure You want to get that close? 

Am I sure I want you that close?

It’s an interesting illness, leprosy: a disease specifically spread by touch, and almost uniformly contagious to those who do come into physical contact with a carrier.  Understood in that light, the Scripture today takes on a much deeper meaning.  It’s not just how we feel about being exposed to the tangible touch of God, but how we think He feels about touching us. 

It can be hard to accept that Jesus would ever really want to touch us, or expose Himself to our sin.  For example, it’s one thing to give a dirty beggar a promise of prayer and best wishes.  It’s another thing entirely to physically lift him up; see, smell and feel the texture of his rancid clothes; and then trade our new, clean clothes for his.  We know how we’d feel about that kind of contact.  Most would want to bathe and change as soon as possible, and erase all memory of the incident.  Stands to reason Jesus, being holy, would be ten times more grossed out by the idea of taking our sins and weaknesses and pain on Himself. 

The leper had a very real, very considerate question.  “How serious are you, Jesus, about this healing thing?  Why on earth would You risk catching what I’ve got? It’s terminal, y’know….” The why behind Jesus’ touching remains unspoken and virtually unfathomable, even today.  Maybe just because….  Maybe because that’s what love does.  Whatever; don’t overthink it, just accept it.  He wants to heal, truly.  We should probably let Him take His best shot.