This morning the man we learn about is already considered corrupt, both physically and spiritually. Therefore, he is untouchable. We see how he approaches Jesus and how Jesus responds.

In Jesus’ day, the Greek word for “leprosy” was used for a variety of similar skin diseases. Leprosy, like AIDS and cancer today, was a terrifying disease because there was no known cure. Some forms of the skin diseases were, indeed, contagious. Now none of us need me to give a detailed description of a person full of leprosy. Suffice it to say that today we know that leprosy used to be incurable, and was severely disfiguring. Now known as Hansen's disease, leprosy is easily curable by multi-drug antibiotic therapy. The disfigurement of the outward physical deformities results solely because the body’s warning system of pain is destroyed by the disease.. The disease brings numbness to the extremities as well as to the ears, eyes, and nose. The disease is called a “painless hell.”

Leviticus 13 and 14 sum up the fate of a leper. Certain skin diseases made a person unacceptable to join the normal life of the community. The person was especially unacceptable to enter religious life within the temple. If a person contracted the contagious type of skin disease, a priest had to declare that person a leper. Such a person was considered “unclean” and “defiled.” They were untouchable. They were then banished from home and city. The leper was sent to live in a community with other lepers until healed or until they died. Nothing but a corpse was worse than a leper.

The situation for the leper has not progressed very much from Jesus’ day to modern day. A couple, Bonnie and Al Kam, who are visiting with us this morning went on a mission trip. Through the Santa Barbara Presbytery ministry called IMPACT, they ministered this past summer in a leper colony in China. Even in modern-day China there is the likeness of a first century leper colony. Bonnie says this village might as well be on Mars as in China. It is a four hour drive from civilization plus another one hour hike on a non-existent trail. There is no contact with the regular world. There is no telephone, no mail drops, no family visits. Only missionaries, on occasion, visit. These people have been so ostracized from society they have been forced to live in subhuman conditions. The few houses in the village are old, and these with leaking roofs. The inside walls are blackened with soot from the burning fires inside because of no ventilation. The bedding is old and dirty. Bonnie says this bedding is probably held together by the dirt alone. These people are forced to live lower than animals. They have been thrown away by the Government and what is considered “normal” society.

The government does not maintain housing, plumbing, sanitation, or food for this village. (Although the government does air drop one bag of rice once a year.) There are no bathing facilities. There is only one community bathroom - a toilet really - for the 14 residents. There is only sporadic electricity at best. The unhealthy conditions within the village is what leads to a high degree of infection. And of course, there is no training for early detection of bruising that leads to possible infection.

Yet, this is a loving community of people whose mental condition is quite normal. These people are trainable. They are employable. In this remote village, they work well together as a team as they live off the land. Those with hands gather the fire wood and pick the vegetables. Those with feet do the chores that require standing or walking. They do not feel sorry for themselves. They do not want nor expect others to feel sorry for them. Throughout China very few people will gain eye contact. Heads are always bowed, eyes lowered, especially with Westerners. In this village the people have the courage to gain and hold eye contact - with each other and visitors. There is no hesitation. There are no cultural differences. There is no fear.

Anyone of the people from the leper colony in China could be the leper from the Gospels of Matthew (and Mark or Luke). He is probably clothed in a torn rag that was once a black robe, so he can easily be recognized as being among the dead. Other people consider him utterly unclean-already corrupt. He is already judged dead - the living dead. He has been banished as an outcast, and probably has been for some years. Perhaps he is fortunate to have family members who bring him food and water, to a designated spot where he picks it up later.

As he approaches other people he must ring a little bell. He is to call out, “Unclean, unclean.” There are stories that people, including rabbis, would often throw stones and rocks at these poor, wretched human beings, to keep them away. One ancient rabbi is quoted to have said, “I would not so much as eat an egg that was purchased on a street where a leper had walked.” Indeed, this leper may as well be living in that village in China.

The people in that remote village and this man have other things in common. Throughout China the government has placed many sorts of restrictions on her people. One such restriction is regarding expression of faith and worshiping God. Because of being totally ostracized, there are NO government restrictions in this village. The people in this leper colony have freedom to practice whatever beliefs they desire. We see from the beginning that the Gospel’s leper is not your normal, everyday leper. He violates all the laws, rules and regulations, religious and government restrictions. He comes directly to Jesus with confidence and without hesitation. There are no cultural differences. Just like the lepers in the village this leper shows no fear. He is supposed to shout to Jesus from a distance. He does not. The crowd drops back. The people open the way for the leper. He holds his diseased body and head as erect as possible. He searches the eyes of the crowd, until he finds Jesus’ eyes on him.

Also, this unusual leper comes to Jesus with reverence. When he reaches Jesus he humbly bows down before Him. Literally he prostrates (proskuneoo) himself before Jesus. This use of “bowing down” means “to worship” (Matthew 2:2; 4:9,10; John 4:20-24; Acts 7:43; Rev 4:10; 19:10). Even the manner in which he addresses Jesus as “Lord” is reverential/worshipful, rather than simply in the sense of, “Sir.” This is an acknowledgment of Jesus’ divine nature. This man feels he is in the presence of God. Therefore, he feels that Jesus can heal him of his terrible disease.

And even though this man wants so very much to be healed-even humbly expects it, he does not demand the healing from Jesus. He does not claim to be worthy or deserving. He leaves himself in the Lord’s hands for Jesus to do as He will. This man claims no rights. His first concern is not his own health, rather the Lord’s will.

Finally, this leper comes to Jesus with a faith; a faith that says, “You have the power to make me clean.” This is absolute conviction that God is able. This man knows that Jesus is not obligated to heal him. He also knows that Jesus is perfectly capable of doing just that. He submits himself and his greatest desire of full healing and health to the One who has supreme and indisputable power and authority. His faith is revealed by the fact that he does not question Jesus’ ability to save him. He only questions Jesus’ willingness to save him. This is faith at its highest.

And Jesus - look how Jesus responds. Jesus allows the leper to approach Him. Jesus accepts this decrepit human being, that society and religion has thrown away. Jesus’ authority transcends the bias of society and to accept and to minister with compassion to all those who approach Him. Somehow the leper has learned about Jesus. We don’t know how, we are not told. But somehow in the remoteness of his condition and his banishment he knows about Jesus. He knows that he need not fear Jesus. He senses a love and a tenderness in Jesus that gives him courage, even boldness.

This man who has not been touched in many years, his body full of sores, his flesh eaten away. He has not been able to touch anyone. And that is just on the outside. The sight of this lonely, desperate, alienated, helpless and empty man grips Jesus’ heart. Now Jesus did not have to put on a yellow gown, white mask and blue plastic gloves like I do when I visit people in the hospital who have certain illnesses. This is usually not because of what the patient has but because of what I might bring in from the outside to give to that person, to make them worse. When no one else would, Jesus’ compassion reaches out to him. In response, Jesus stretches out His hand and touches, saying, “I am willing. Be cleansed.”

There is no hesitation on Jesus’ part. And even though He could have healed with a simple word, as He had done many times, Jesus reaches out. Jesus does was is so desired and needed. He touches. We are told that, “Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” Instantly the deformed, shriveled, scaly, sore-covered, individual suddenly stands upright, with perfect arms and legs. His face is smooth and unscarred. His hair restored. His voice normal and his eyes bright with life.

And this man never asked to be healed! Rather, he says, “Make me clean.” Yet, in touching the untouchable, Jesus did more than restore health to this man. The leper is not only healed, but is also cleansed by Jesus’ contagious holy touch. Jesus, the High Priest, has cut through all the rituals, and all the regulations and laws about uncleanness. In His cleansing touch, Jesus restores him to fellowship within the community and life of the city and religious life. In sending this new person to the temple priest, Jesus honors God’s law. Jesus’ touch makes clean what is unclean.

Who are the untouchables in our community? Who are those who are considered unclean today? Who are the people you are afraid to touch - perhaps even afraid to look at? Are they those with cancer, or other illnesses, or dying? Are they those in wheel chairs or who use crutches? Are the older folks the untouchables to you? Or is it the younger age group that is considered off limits? Are the untouchables those who have suffered great personal loss - a death of a child, spouse? Is it the loss and vast depth of emotions makes it impossible to touch or be touched? Are the untouchables those who just don’t look like we do? Or sound like we do? Or are not as intelligent as we think we are? How can we be Jesus’ touch to each? When have people treated you like a leper? When have you been desperate, alienated, helpless and empty? When have you been deformed, shriveled and scaly spiritually?

You see, you and I are not that much different from the leper - either in the village in China or the one who approached Jesus more than 2000 years. But, you and I have something even more terrible, debilitating and deadly than the inch-by-inch death of leprosy. Sin! Sin is an incurable disease. We all have it. The work of Christ in cleansing the leper is such a strong illustration of His work in cleansing our souls from sin. If you are a believer, a Christian, you are already healed, by having received Jesus as Lord. You are not symbolized by the leper. However, you may be unclean. You may be unclean through: impure thoughts - anger, bitterness, lust, greed, pride; improper speech; hurtful actions. Only Christ’s healing touch can miraculously take away that sin and cleanse us, and restore us to Himself.

If you have not come to Jesus yet, the way is open. And just like the leper, you and each one of us must realize our inability to cure ourselves. All you need do is ask for Christ’s saving and cleansing help. We each must fall on our knees before Jesus. Then we can be cleansed and restored to Him. Don’t let your soul’s warning system be destroyed.

We each can directly approach Jesus with confidence, because of His acceptance of us. We worship Jesus because He is God. We do not need to demand anything from Jesus, rather we can leave it all in His capable hands. We can come to Jesus with faith because He is the One who has supreme and indisputable power and authority.

Are you willing? Christ is willing!