Touching the Untouchable
Leviticus 13:3;
The priest will examine the affected area of the skin. If the hair in the affected area has turned white and the problem appears to be more than skin-deep, it is a serious skin disease, and the priest who examines it must pronounce the person ceremonially unclean.
Leviticus 13:45-46;
Those who suffer from a serious skin disease must tear their clothing and leave their hair uncombed.[a] They must cover their mouth and call out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’ 46 As long as the serious disease lasts, they will be ceremonially unclean. They must live in isolation in their place outside the camp.
According to Answers in Genesis:
The term leprosy in the Bible includes a variety of infections skin diseases and even mold and mildew on clothing and walls. The Biblical disease leprosy now known as Hansens disease, unlike the modern strain was considered contagious, spread by multiple skin contact and nose excretions. It was a slow moving disease that wasn’t fatal but was degenerative. Leprosy attacks the nervous system over a period of time and those inflicted with the disease lose all feeling in the affected areas. In 3rd world countries some lepers have experienced their fingers eaten by Rats in their sleep.
According to the Jewish Encylopedia:
Priests were in charge of the diagnosis of all diseases. They were not allowed to live in a community that didn’t have a doctor.
Those who were diagnosed with the curable strain of leprosy had to appear before a priest every 7 days. Once considered “clean” or cured they had to offer sacrifices and endure a cleansing process.
Leprosy in the Ancient times was considered a punishment from God for some transgression or sin:
Miriam – Numbers 12:10; Joab and his descendants – 2 Samuel 3:29; Gehazi – 2 Kings 5:27; and Uzziah – 2 Chronicles 26:19
A leper had to shout unclean when entering a place where there were people or anywhere they walked while in a town or city. People kept a distance of 6 feet or over a 100 feet if there was a wind. Lepers were secluded from society even from family and certainly not touched by human hands.
Missionary doctor, Paul Brand, whose work with lepers is legendary, explained leprosy like this: "Hansen's disease" "only numbs the extremities. The destruction of limbs follows solely because the warning system of pain is gone; so the routine of life takes its toll upon lepers by cuts, burns, bruises, sprains, broken bones, all without any consciousness by the leper that it has happened. Consequently, he continues with open, festering wounds, or limps on twisted legs, and gradually becomes disfigured and repulsive to others.”
Mark 1:21-35 – When it comes to touching the untouchable; from Jesus we learn to...
1. Be different with God: Mark 1:22
Jesus didn’t teach like everyone else. He didn’t use his teaching as a status symbol. He quoted scripture not the words of other boring rabbi’s and he didn’t beat up people with his words. Jesus wasn’t focused on traditions or other boring rituals he was preaching about living a radical life that was different than anyone had heard before. People were hungry for his brand of teaching which made the Rabbi’s very jealous and their hearts were hardened against him.
How do you show those around you that you live a different kind of life? Do you know what Jesus considered life priorities? Why or why not?
Matthew 25:34-40
Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. 36 I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’ “Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? 39 When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ “And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,[a] you were doing it to me!’
Romans 12:2
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Romans 14:17-19
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. 19 So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.
Philippians 2:1-11 – we must have the same attitude as Christ; humbling ourselves and putting everyone else’s interests first
Titus 2:12
And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God
1 John 2:15-17
Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
2. Be involved with God: Mark 1:32-34
Jesus had a work to do. It was his work to spend his life serving people, teaching them about His Father and revealing His purpose. Jesus was just as human as you and I and there is no doubt after this long day he was tired. But Jesus didn’t check out early. He didn’t offer up excuses, and he didn’t take a break. In Henry Blackaby’s Bible Study “Experiencing God” he says this, “Right now God is working all around you, as well as in your life. One of the greatest tragedies among God’s people is that although they deeply long to experience God they are encountering Him day after day but do not recognize Him.” In John 5:17 Jesus says, “My Father is always at work.” How involved are you in your heavenly Father’s purpose? Are you aware of what God is doing in you, and around you? Why or why not?
Philippians 2:13
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him
2 Timothy 1:8-10
So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. 9 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 10 And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News.
Hebrews 13:21
may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you,[a] through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen
2 Thessalonians 1:11
So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.
3. Be prayerful to God: Mark 1:35
The only way Jesus survived His ministry was through the relationship with His Father. Jesus said many times, that His purpose was to point people back to His dad. Like every human being who wants to talk to their Father, Jesus prayed. This is one example of the prayer life of Jesus after a particular long day of serving, healing, teaching and blessing people. In order for us to survive our “holy calling” we must, like Jesus, be people of prayer. What does your prayer life look like?
Matthew 6:5-6
When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. 6 But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
Romans 8:26
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
Ephesians 6:18
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere
Philippians 4:6
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Never stop praying.
Mark 1:40-45 – Jesus touches the Leper – DRAMA
A life that is different from the world, involved with the Father’s work, and full of prayer will touch the untouchable because they are:
1. Compassionate – Mark 1:41
Definition of compassion: a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.
It’s possible to be compassionate and not be a follower of Jesus. A compassionate Christian is different from others because a Christian will, as Jesus did, point people back to the Father. The purpose of showing compassion for a Christ follower is to reveal God’s love rather than our own. Do you consider yourself a compassionate person? Why or why not? Why do you show compassion?
Matthew 9:36
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Luke 6:36
You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate
Philippians 2:1
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?
Colossians 3:12
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience
1 John 3:17
If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister[a] in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?
2. Bold – Mark 1:41
Nobody touched lepers in Jesus day. The crowd around Jesus would’ve been angry with this man because he put them all at risk. But Jesus had a different understanding because He was different with God, involved in His Father’s work, and was prayed up, he had no problem reaching out and touching the leper. How the leper responded to the first human hands he had felt in who knows how long, we don’t know. Did he cry? Was it awkward for him? Can you imagine what it would be like to be completely and totally segregated from society, untouched for years, and then one day a stranger reaches out and caresses your face? How would you have responded? Jesus didn’t allow the traditions of his day and what others thought of him to dictate how he acted. Jesus acted out His Father’s purpose, He showed us what love really is in spite of how society felt or reacted. Are you willing to show the Father’s love in a bold way? Do you often consider what others think of you? Why or why not?
John 14:27
I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid
2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline
Romans 8:15
So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children.[a] Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”
1 John 4:18
Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love
