On the exam table, the doctor crossed my arms over my chest took hold of my wrists and gave me a totally unexpected and unannounced firm yank. His “touch” didn’t heal my double ear infection and strep throat.
Jesus’ touch completely cured a leper in the first chapter of the Gospel of Mark. This encounter contains four necessary ingredients for the man’s physical healing that parallel those elements essential for us to be cured of our spiritual ailment that separates us from God.
The leper came to Jesus saying, “You can make me clean.” (Mark 1:40) Just as the leper realized his disease and desperately wanted to be made well, so too our spiritual healing begins by realizing our spiritual sickness and desiring wellness. The Bible declares that every human being suffers from the spiritual disease of moral depravity (sin). “There is none righteous, no not one.” (Romans 3:10)
Humans are naturally reluctant to admit our depraved condition that deserves God’s just condemnation. Jesus said, “men love darkness (wickedness) rather than light (goodness) because their deeds are evil.” (John 3:19) Unless and until we see the depth and destruction of our depravity, we won’t realize our need for a remedy.
The leper also recognized and relied upon Jesus ability to heal him—“You can make me clean.” Spiritual cleansing requires that a person rely completely upon Jesus who said, “nobody comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6) “Christ died for sin once for all, the just for the unjust that He might bring us to God…” (1 Peter 3:18) We deserved God’s judgement, but all who accept Christ’s death as their payment are forgiven and given eternal life. “He who believes in the Son has eternal life…” (John 3:36a).
The leper expressed his reliance by requesting that Jesus heal him. “Imploring Him… If you will…” (Mark 1:40). For us to be liberated from our wicked spiritual condition, we must also express our trust in Jesus. “Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)
Once the leper realized his lamentable condition and relied upon Jesus completely by requesting the cure, Jesus “touched him… and he was made clean.” (Mark 1:41-42)
Jesus touched the leper and our Lord was not contaminated, but the man was physically cleansed. Likewise, when a person places their faith in Christ, Jesus’ touch brings spiritual cleansing.
Realize our spiritual disease deserves judgment, rely upon Jesus, receive cleansing and rejoice that…
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.