Reach Out and Touch (Oct 3)

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man.  "I am willing," he said.  "Be clean!"  And immediately the leprosy left him.
                                  Luke 5:13 NIV

Relationships are important to Jesus.  Today, our verse describes healing of leprosy; a disease that, by God's law, separated an individual from the community.  Leprosy was a dreaded disease, for it disfigured the individual.  Leper colonies, communities where lepers lived, to separate the lepers from the general community have existed in remote locations for centuries.

Consider Jesus' reaching out and touching the leper.  Jesus did not hesitate to use His healing touch to reach the leper where he was.  In a similar fashion, Jesus still has His hand outstretched for us, waiting for us, led by the Spirit, like the leper, to willingly accept Him.  He is reaching for us, now, where we are at.  His grace through faith is sufficient to heal us from our original sin, our present condition, our afflictions and concerns.  His grace through faith will free us from our death sentence and give to us eternal life, and access to the Kingdom of God.

Like the leper who was touched by Jesus, with a willing acceptance, healing is not delayed but occurs by grace, immediately. In contrast, faith and understanding, like a mustard seed grows over time. 

It is God through His work, word, and sacrament that cleanses us.  It is us who daily fall away and who, through the Spirit, turn to God through Jesus daily to be forgiven and cleansed.

What actions can one take to develop a relationship with Jesus?

What could you do to show the effects of your relationship with Jesus, to reach out and touch others?

Pray to shine the light of Jesus to others.

In Christ,

David P