The touch of compassion

Luke 5: 12 - 16

And he stretched out his hand and touched him....

Jesus was approachable. Somehow there was something about him that drew the leper to him, humble and confident that help would be found in this person. I'm sure the impoverished man, ostracised by his people had never picked up enough courage to go up to other rabbis. Had he done so, he would probably have been warded off or even stoned to keep him away. It was different with Jesus. Somehow, Jesus drew people to himself. There was something about him that made him approachable to those who had nowhere else to turn.

And the leprous man's trust was honored by this Teacher. Jesus reached out and touched the man, speaking words of healing, thus communicating the love and mercy of God. In his day, such contact would have been thought too risky. Jesus risked incurring infection and also being unclean, for the sake of needy humanity.
There is so much more to knowing Jesus that we should never underestimate the value of meeting him through the gospels. No one ever matures spiritually 'beyond' this stage. It would be utter conceit to think so.

At one time, when I read this passage, I found myself in the place of the untouchable leper, feeling out of touch with my faith, and at the margins because of my complacency. I almost did not 'dare' to go up to Jesus. But I am glad I did. I'm glad the leper did, not allowing society's rejection to wipe out his self worth. We received our healing, both physical and spiritual from the Compassionate One.