Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him. — Mark 1:41
Of all diseases, leprosy is the only one singled out by the law of Moses and linked with sin. It’s not that having leprosy was sinful, nor was it the result of sin. Rather, the disease was seen as a graphic symbol of sin. If we could see sin, it would look something like leprosy.
In Mark 1 we read about a leper who fell on his knees before Jesus and made his request: “If You are willing, You can make me clean” (v.40). It’s the first instance in the Gospels of a plain request for healing — touching and profound in its simplicity.
Jesus was “moved with compassion” (v.41). People normally felt sympathy for the sick and troubled, but not for lepers. Because they were considered in those days as “unclean” both ceremonially and physically (Leviticus 13:45; 22:4), they were repulsive in every way to most people, who stayed as far away from them as possible. Nevertheless, Jesus was “willing” to reach out to this desperate, disease-ridden man and actually touch him! At that very moment the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.
Why did Jesus touch this man? He could have healed him just by saying, “Be cleansed.” But His touch illustrated His great compassion.
Jesus loves sinners. Do we? — David Roper
Jesus taught when He lived on this earth
How to show love to the lost;
So don’t be afraid to give a kind touch,
No matter how much it may cost. — Carbaugh
READ:Mark 1:40-45
To love sinners is to be like Jesus.
The Bible in one year:
• Revelation 9-12