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Understanding Scripture in Light of a Jewish Timeline

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Touch of Jesus

We have been talking about some of Jesus’ unique claims. However, there were many things about Christ that were unique. One of those things was how he healed. The Mosaic Law stated that those who were impure due to illness and/or disease were to come to the high priest after they were cured for pronouncement of being cleansed (Lv 14). This is because the high priest could not be near a diseased person without becoming impure himself (Lv 21).

However, if that which was holy touched something it became holy (Lv 6). Holiness was more powerful than the unclean. Now let’s look at how Jesus healed.

 Matthew 9:25 – Jesus touched the girl before bringing her back to life.

 Mark 6:5 – Jesus laid his hands on the sick and they were healed.

 Luke 4:40 – Jesus laid his hands on them, and they were healed.

 Luke 8:44 – A woman touched Jesus and was healed.

 Luke 8:54 – Jesus took the hand of a dead woman before he said, “Arise.”

 Luke 22:51 – Jesus touched a man’s ear to heal it.

These are just a few examples, but they tell an interesting story. Why did Jesus not wait to touch these people until after they were healed? Didn’t he become unclean in the process? Later on, we read about Peter healing, and he did what any law abiding citizen would do, he touched the person after they were healed so as to not contaminate himself.

This was not the case with Jesus. On the contrary, since these afflicted people were healed there was no impurity present. Why, because the holy had touched the unclean and so the unclean became clean. I thought this concept was brilliantly displayed in one of the episodes of the first season of The Chosen. A leper came to Jesus and the program showed Jesus full of love and compassion for this one in such a hideous state. With no repulsion whatsoever Jesus placed his hands on the cheeks of this one whose flesh was basically falling off his face. Jesus’ touch however changed all of that. The man’s face went from being rotting flesh to pure unblemished skin. It was an amazing scene. Just as the sin offering made those who touched it clean even so our sin offering made those he touched clean. Isn’t that amazing? Does this not also prove Jesus’ superiority over man and his sin problem?

Jesus continues to do that for us. When we accept him by faith our unworthiness is covered by his blood and God s acceptance to us is now because of Jesus Christ. Isn’t it a beautiful plan God has instituted? All praise be to Him!

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens