The Touch Of The Master

"So set yourselves apart to be holy, for I am the LORD your God." Leviticus 20:7

Leviticus Chapters 10 through 20 record the ceremonial laws regarding what is considered clean and what is considered unclean. In each case there is a remedy for restoration to cleanliness...the blood of a perfect sacrifice. The sacrifice sets us apart to be holy.

Touching anything considered unclean (bodily discharge, skin eruptions, dead body, etc.) rendered the individual unclean until the sacrifice was offered and a certain amount of time had passed. In the medical community of today we understand the science behind these laws. Rotting flesh was ripe with potentially infectious bacteria. Disease could easily be transmitted from the hand touching diseased flesh or discharge, and then touching the face or food which would then be eaten and eventually end up in the body. Disease could also be transmitted by clothing that touched the body, so you were considered unclean if the hem of your garment had come in contact with a dead body or carcass.

Every time I read in the Word that Jesus healed some one by touching them, I'm in awe. The perfect fulfillment of the law crossed the bounds of the law by touching the unclean and making them whole.

"Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. 'Young man,' he said, 'I tell you, get up.' Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother."  Luke 7:14-15

"A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped."  Luke 8:43-44

"While he was still speaking to her, a messenger arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. He told him, 'Your daughter is dead. There's no use troubling the Teacher now.' But when Jesus heard what had happened, he said to Jairus, 'Don't be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed.' When they arrived at the house, Jesus wouldn't let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, James, and the little girl's father and mother. The house was filled with people weeping and wailing, but he said, 'Stop the weeping! She isn't dead; she's only asleep.' But the crowd laughed at him because they all knew she had died. Then Jesus took her by the hand and said in a loud voice, 'My child, get up!' And at that moment her life returned and she immediately stood up!"  Luke 8:49-55a

"Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. 'Lord,' the man said, 'if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.' Jesus reached out and touched him. 'I am willing,' he said. 'Be healed!' And instantly the leprosy disappeared."  Matthew 8:2-3

"When they arrived at Bethsaida, some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and they begged him to touch the man and heal him. Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then, spitting on the man's eyes, he laid his hands on him and asked, 'Can you see anything now?' The man looked around. 'Yes,' he said. ' I see people, but I can't see them very clearly. They look like trees walking around.' Then Jesus placed his hands on the man's eyes again and his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly." Mark 8:22-25

In each one of these examples, Jesus touched some one or some thing considered unclean. Literally, He went against the Law. It showed His authority to fulfill the Law and He did this before He offered Himself, the perfect sacrifice, for restoration.

I've been doing my own soul searching about how Jesus has touched me in my unclean state and healed me. I don't necessarily mean "physically." Most of the time His healing has been spiritual, but there has been physical healing, too.

So, I ask you, dear Sister. What is your malady? Where do you need healing? Have you had an "issue of blood?" Something draining you inside, sending you into despair, robbing you of hope? Press in to our Lord Jesus. Just the touch of the hem of his garment will cleanse and restore you.

Do you feel spiritually dead? Have your dreams for your life all but died? Press in to Jesus. Even if your hopes and dreams have been sealed up in a coffin, Jesus wants to fill you with life.

Do you feel unclean? Are you facing something in yourself or in your family that isolates you? Press in to Jesus. He will never turn you away. He will pick you up, cleanse you and carry you close to his bosom.

Are you blind, groping your way on this path called the Christian Walk? Press in to Jesus. His touch will open your eyes and set you free."

He Touched Me*

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.

Since I met this blessed Savior,
Since He cleansed and made me whole,
I will never cease to praise Him,
I'll shout it while eternity rolls.

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.

*Words and Music by Bill and Gloria Gaither

by Marilyn Allison