And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” (Matthew 8:2)

This leper had lived most of his life, probably, having to shout out “Unclean, unclean” any time he came near other people.  If others saw him, they would shout out, “unclean, unclean”!  Can you imagine a life so alone, so labeled, so ostracized, so very unwelcome — no one to show you compassion, going probably years without a hug, or as much as a handshake!

I was recently reminded of this, and brought to deeper consideration of this through a book by Max Lucado in my devotional time.  And now I continue to ponder the plight of this man who came to Jesus.  After many years, most likely, he mustered up the courage to approach Jesus with his problem.  We certainly don’t have all the details of every word spoken here, but there is no indication that he approached Jesus saying, “unclean”; but only with a plea of desperation, “can you make me clean”.  It appears he had heard of Jesus, and heard of his healing others, and now he just longed to be clean and healed himself.

Have you ever felt “unclean”?  Have you ever been put away from a relationship like there was something wrong with you?  Do you ever feel at times like situations in your life, or in your past, cause others to doubt your worth or pass some judgement on you that is unfair or unreasonable?  Is there some sin in your life that is keeping you from reaching out to God, or keeping you from others, because you know you are wrong and can’t imagine things could change?

If so, hear these words, “And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. (Matthew 8:3).  Here is an amazing thing about this response of Jesus – He TOUCHED HIM!  See that in the context of his leprosy and it is an amazing thing, He reached out and put his hands on him.  I can envision Jesus putting his hand on both sides of that ugly, scared face – something this man had not experienced in a very long time.  And those simple words, “I will; be clean” – He CLEANSED HIM!  Then came the return of feeling in his limbs, the warmth of blood coursing through previously blocked veins, and the flesh being restored.  And, maybe most of all, his heart warmed from the touch of the Savior!  And following this his restoration of relationships with his family, with the people of God!

You see, it doesn’t matter nearly as much what other people think about us or do to us, as much as what Jesus can and wants to do for us!  Whatever our failures, our problems, our difficult situations, even devastating things that happen to us – when we have courage to turn to Jesus, and ask him to make us clean, great things happen.  Our hearts are warmed by His love, and our problems and situations take on a new look, as he says to us “I will, be clean”.

Maybe for you there is someone around you who is feeling put off, turned away, ostracized and rejected because of their sin, their failure, some circumstance in their life.  And God has placed you in their path, and whether they have the courage or not to ask you for it, they need a TOUCH – and you can be the hands God uses to provide it.  Could it be that you are the one who needs to deliver to them the message that Jesus loves them, wants to touch their life, and is the one who can make them clean and whole?

Jesus said to us, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30).  He is still in the cleansing business, the healing business, and the business of lifting burdens and giving us rest for our souls.

“Unclean” no more, in the presence, in the power, and in the promise of Jesus Christ.  What a Savior!