Touching the Untouchables

Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

– Mark 5:33-34

The Bible reveals that Jesus performed several amazing, life-changing miracles. He enabled the lame to walk, the blind to see, and the sick to regain their health. On multiple occasions he even brought the dead back to life — and the crowds were amazed and praised God for what they had witnessed. But in one notable instance, our Savior went a step further.

In Biblical times, a person afflicted with the skin disease leprosy faced a death sentence. Not only were they forced to experience their body’s painful disintegration, their social lives were cut short. Declared untouchable by the priests, lepers were banished from all contact with their family members, friends, and business associates. Never again could they experience a warm hug, a firm handshake, or even a tap on the shoulder. Considered unclean, lepers were literal walking curses. And according to Old Testament guidelines:

The priest is to examine the sore on the skin, and if the hair in the sore has turned white and the sore appears to be more than skin deep, it is a defiling skin disease. When the priest examines that person, he shall pronounce them ceremonially unclean.

All that changed one day when Jesus healed a leper. It’s in Matthew’s gospel that we read how he did the unthinkable by touching the untouchables:

When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

Jesus could have cured the ailing man through a simple word or prayer. But instead, he physically contacted the shunned outcast. The healing itself revealed the miracle of God’s love. And not only did Jesus restore the leper’s health, he also reinstated the victim’s dignity and place in society. 

Let’s now fast-forward about 2,000 years to the present. Modern medicine has largely eradicated leprosy, but there are still conditions — medical, social, or otherwise — that can subjugate or even banish their victims. And while we can’t heal them with a mere touch, Christ-followers can help restore them in many ways by using our gifts and resources to serve as our Savior’s hands and feet on earth. 

“You are the light of the world,” Jesus told his disciples through his famous Sermon on the Mount. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”

 

Justice of the Peace

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

– Mark 4:39-41

California might come to mind when we think of states with earthquakes. But did you know that Yellowstone National Park, which straddles Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana, experiences hundreds of earthquakes each week? What’s more, the area sits atop a so-called supervolcano, and it’s been 70,000 years since it last erupted. Then there’s the New Madrid Seismic Zone (NMSZ), which covers parts of seven states from Illinois to Mississippi. During the Winter of 1811–12, it experienced 15 tremors with estimated magnitudes of 6.5 to 8.0. That’s on par with the 1989 San Francisco, 1994 Los Angeles, and 1995 Kobe, Japan, earthquakes. Seismologists report that the NMSZ appears to be about 30 years overdue for a magnitude 6.3 quake, which would likely cause billions of dollars of damage and perhaps thousands of injuries and deaths.

Disasters, whether natural or manmade, happen every day. They’re often unpredictable. And there’s no guarantee that we could save ourselves, our family, or property from the resulting destruction — even if we recognize their warning signs. But today, there are cautions of a much greater world-changing event that could strike in 100 years, 20 years, two weeks … or maybe even tonight.

God promises us through the Bible that one day, a Savior (Jesus) will call his followers home. Then later, he’ll return to right all the wrongs of this world, reward those who believe in him, and direct all others to an eternity of torment. Many of the Bible’s prophesies about the matter have already been fulfilled, such as the relatively recent prediction about the re-birth of the State of Israel. There’s nothing to stop his Second Coming in our lifetimes.

Yes, Jesus could return in five minutes or in 500 years. But either way, we must be prepared. That’s because none of us knows when our own time on Earth will expire. Check the headlines, and you’re bound to read stories about people killed suddenly in an accident, during a crime, or through a sudden health crisis, such as a stroke or heart attack. Like the estimated 230,000 people in 14 countries that perished in the December 26, 2004, tsunami, they had no idea that the day would be their last.

This brings us to the obvious question: Are you prepared to meet your Maker? Your answer has eternal consequences. 

“So you also must be ready,” Jesus warns, “because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”

Our God is a God of justice. And since we’ve all failed to live up to his standards, we all deserve the penalty that Jesus endured on the cross — for our sakes — about 2,000 years ago. So, whether we leave this life from a natural disaster or naturally through old age, the question remains: How can we rest assured that we’ll spend eternity with God rather than forever without him? The answer is not a particular action we can take, but rather a certain Person we must trust:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life!” Jesus assures us through John 14:6. “Without me, no one can go to the Father.”

At Your Service

He told them, “The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that,

“‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’”

– Mark 4:11-12

Back in 2020, the nation’s economy lost millions of jobs following the forced shutdown of businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But as people from coast to coast sheltered in place and worked from home, demand soared for residential deliveries of products and services ranging from groceries to exercise equipment to pet supplies. The result was that companies like Amazon, FedEx, and UPS were constantly hiring more workers to handle the demand.

Now fast-forward about five years, and Amazon vans remain a familiar sight in neighborhoods across the country. Walmart has also entered the in-home delivery business, and FedEx and UPS still enjoy considerable market share. But the logistics industry doesn’t have a monopoly on personalized service. The church, in fact, has 2,000 years of experience with it. So, whenever you see a package hand-delivered to your neighbor’s porch or front door, think about Jesus’ declaration about serving others: 

“In the same way, the Son of Man did not come to be served,” the Savior proclaims. “He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people."

It’s here that Jesus turns the notion of greatness on its head by emphasizing the server over the one they serve. That means Christ-followers are to be Jesus’ hands and feet on earth while we wait for him to call us back home. Until then, we’re to help prepare God’s kingdom by making the most of the different gifts and talents he’s given us to serve others. 

And when we serve, it’s important to remember that it’s not about us. It’s instead about our Creator and his creation. With this in mind, let’s turn our faith into action by accepting Jesus’ invitation to be a ray of light amidst a dark and gloomy world.

“Make your light shine,” he says, “so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.”

That’s a prime level of service that Amazon will never deliver.

Changed

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

– Mark 2:17

Early followers of Jesus were called Little Christs because their newfound faith had transformed their lives for all to see. This odd group of people from all walks of life — rich and poor, male and female, slave and free — were markedly different from the rest of society. They somehow had grown more caring and generous toward both neighbors and strangers alike, and they willingly sacrificed their time and resources to ease sorrow and correct injustice. Ultimately, they had abandoned their old, selfish tendencies in favor of something much greater.

In a word, they were changed.

And that says a lot for their leader — an obscure rabbi from a distant corner of the Roman Empire who just happened to be God’s own Son. Few recognized that at the time. But because some did and led changed lives while following Jesus, millions in future generations would in turn help to change the world for the better. 

Like those first disciples transformed by the words of the Sermon on the Mount, modern-day Believers like you and me should recognize that Jesus the Leader was also Jesus the Follower. Christ spoke constantly with his Father (God) in prayer and always sought his guidance: 

“I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing,” explained Jesus, “because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”

Whether you’ve followed Jesus for five days or 55 years, grasp every opportunity to become more like him, walk in his ways, and see the world through his eyes. What’s more, ask God to work through you with the Holy Spirit — that personal, loving Power, who makes it possible to leave your old self behind and transform into a new creation. 

That’s the change that makes all the difference. And gradually, through the trials of life and the whispers of his leadings, we’ll become the men and women our Creator always intended us to be. 

Forgive and Forget

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

– Mark 2:5

The U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that nearly 70% of adult smokers want to quit the habit, but fewer than one in 10 succeeded over the past year. However, author and humorist Mark Twain once quipped that it was the easiest thing he ever did. “I ought to know,” he explained, “because I’ve done it a thousand times.”

The same goes for Christ-followers when it comes to temptation and sin. Even though we’ve accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior — and asked him for forgiveness and received it — we still tend to backslide into those same errant words and deeds that we thought were far behind us. 

Doesn’t the Bible proclaim that if anyone is in Christ, they’ve become a new creation? Indeed, it does. But this transformation is a work in progress that runs on God’s timetable. That often means it’s happening little by little, day by day. What’s more, the pathway along our faith-journey is narrow, twisting, and full of unexpected hairpin curves. And when we don’t keep our eyes on the destination, we can end up in a ditch.

But we shouldn’t be surprised. Jesus even told his disciples to expect obstacles: 

"Things that cause people to sin are bound to come,” Christ explained. “But woe to that person through whom they come.”

Let’s also consider a life-lesson taught by the apostle Paul — the Christ-follower who wrote much of the New Testament. In his 2,000-year-old lament that still rings true to modern-day readers, Paul complains that he continues to do the very things he despises. And at the same time, he fails to do the things he knows he should accomplish. So, here’s the question: If one of history’s greatest Christians had so many problems with sin and temptation, what hope is there for us?

Paul’s struggles were nothing less than spiritual warfare — the same ugly conflict that we all fight every day in one way or another. But he has some good news for us in Romans 8:1:

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.”

As Believers, we don’t have to accept sin’s dominance in our lives. But when we do fail and surrender to temptation, we can freely ask our Savior for forgiveness. As Psalm 103:12 puts it:

“… as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”

A-ha Moment

The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching — and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits, and they obey him.”

– Mark 1:27 

An a-ha moment is that split second when our eyes are opened to a spiritual truth that changes everything. As Christ-followers, we can experience an a-ha when God shows us that we're going down the wrong path in some crucial area of our life. It's then up to us to respond and turn in the right direction.

Then there's the ultimate a-ha: when a non-believer finally sees the light regarding their need for Jesus. Unfortunately, most people choose to remain blind, enjoy the darkness … and then attack those who don’t embrace their example. There’s no shortage of politicians, Hollywood celebrities, or other "progressive" thinkers, who are quick to label others as close-minded or intolerant.

But depending on the context, is intolerance always a bad thing? After all, Jesus doesn't turn a blind eye to sin. What's more, he declares himself to be the exclusive pathway to God:

"I am the way, the truth and the life," we read in John's gospel. "No one comes to the Father except through me."

That's anything but tolerant. And Christ’s bold proclamation defies today's inclusive, politically correct environment. After all, it hurts feelings and declares that one faith is better than all others. But society's demands for open-mindedness and equality are irrelevant. Jesus has no tolerance for false, second-rate gods and allegiances. And as God’s own Son, his authority is absolute.

But before we point fingers at those who haven’t yet had their a-ha moment, let's all take a long look at ourselves in the mirror. Are our own words, thoughts, and actions beyond reproach? Jesus was right on the mark when he said that we must remove the plank from our own eye before we can remove the speck from our neighbor's eye. 

The point is that Christ-followers must answer to the ultimate authority and let God be the judge of others outside the faith. He knows the whole story, and we're hardly in a position to condemn anyone.

Let’s consider that today’s a-ha moment.

Help Wanted

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

– Mark 1:14-15

The news is filled with stories about job layoffs, empty storefronts, and companies fleeing big cities. But Help Wanted signs are still out there, and some businesses can’t fill their open positions.

If you’re in the job market, your first hurdle is to demonstrate that you’re available and can do the work. What’s more, employers must decide if they like you. Even if you’re well-qualified, you probably won’t get the job if they think you lack the right chemistry. And they also want to know if you’re a risk. In other words, do you have a reputation for being difficult to manage? And finally, you must be affordable. Employers will drop you from consideration if your salary demands are unreasonable.

Fortune 500 companies aren’t the only ones with high standards for their team members. For example, Christ-followers are tasked with preparing God’s Kingdom and being a bright light in a dark, troubled world. And since it’s such an important job that can yield eternal, life-changing rewards, only certain candidates are considered. If you’re up for the challenge, be aware that you must be available on an as-needed basis. (Expect to work weekends and holidays.) You also must be obedient and follow the Boss’ (Jesus) instructions — even if they don’t make sense at the time. Humility is likewise important, so you should share the credit whenever it’s due. Expect overtime and sacrifice. And to top it off, you must take the initiative and be on the lookout for opportunities to help your customers (neighbors), both local and foreign.

Here’s Jesus’ admonition to his would-be employees (disciples) as recorded in Luke’s gospel:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”

Landing a job can be difficult — even in a vibrant economy. But here’s some good news: Jesus is hiring right now for his organization’s growing team. And many of his highest producers started with no experience in the field. The working conditions aren’t always ideal. But there are plenty of rewards along the way ... and the retirement plan is out of this world!