In Mark 1 Jesus healed a leper. 

The word for “leprosy” was quite broad. It referred to any number of skin-related diseases. But it was a serious condition and made the man “unclean.”

He had to live outside the city and away from people. A leper was alone and desperate—cut off from family, friends and financial help.

After the plea for intervention, this is what happened: “He [Jesus] reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed” (verses 41-42).

The miracle by itself was amazing. Yet again, Jesus showed not only his pity but his power. 

But today let’s focus on something else. Jesus “touched the man.” Normally that would have made Jesus ritually unclean too (by way of contamination). But unlike usual, the touch makes the unclean clean not the clean unclean!

The leper had been cut off, separated, and alone. How long had it been since someone had approached him? How long had it been since someone touched or hugged him? How long since someone was near enough to hear the tone of his voice?

Jesus didn’t have to touch him. He proved elsewhere that he could heal from a far distance (see John 4:50-52). So I wonder if Jesus could see how lonely he was. I wonder if he knew how much a touch would mean from the Son of God himself.

Writing about this verse, a church father named Clement of Alexandria said: “The all-sufficient Physician of humanity, the Savior, heals both body and soul conjointly.”*

Some Christians think we should focus just on someone’s soul and not their physical predicaments. Others think we should just offer material help while neglecting their souls. But both aspects of a person’s existence are important. Just ask Jesus.

“The all-sufficient Physician of humanity, the Savior, heals both body and soul conjointly.”

May our care for others be for the whole person, not just a part of them.

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Notes and extra content:

—NEW ARTICLE: “Recovering the lost art of porch-sitting and the evening constitutional.” This is an article about wellness I wrote with therapist Sarah Joy Covey. Here are two restorative practices after a weary day (or year). Click here.

–“Eden isn’t just in the past.” Sermon. September 22, 2024. Click here.

–*Clement of Alexandria, Christ the Educator 1.4.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.