The Power of Touch” – Mark 1:40-45 – February 15, 2009

When a person is undergoing chemotherapy there is usually a loss of hair. That creates an embarrassing condition for the one who is being treated. It is not easy for them to go out in public because they don’t feel “normal.” Their hair loss makes people stair or even worse, people keep at a distance. The person feels isolated and alienated from society. Their situation is not their fault but folks have trouble getting close to anyone who has a visible condition that is abnormal.

This was the case with the leper. Because of his disease he was not free to be in public. Only it was even worse in Jesus’ day since the rules of society required him to keep his distance. Lepers wore torn clothing which was a signal to others that they were not to be touched. The leper was labeled “unclean,” and only a priest could make him clean with the rite of purification.

The leper was socially isolated. He could not have normal associations with the people in his community. In our society we no longer isolate folks with offensive, visible conditions. We live in a much more open society. Nevertheless, there are still folks who are kept at a distance because they are different. They might be from the other side of the tracks. Perhaps they have AIDS. Or, perhaps they have some other limitation or appearance that makes them “untouchable.”

The leper in our story said to Jesus, “If you choose, you can make me clean.” Some would say he had faith and he believed that Jesus could make him clean.” I believe there is another possibility. I think that he was trying to manipulate Jesus, actually using him to make him clean rather than go to the priests whose role it was make him clean through purification. In other words, the man didn’t want to go through all the red tape. He wanted to take a short cut. And, by placing his demand on Jesus, he was in control.

There are times when we don’t want to be clean. And, there are times when we don’t want to go through all the hoops or red tape that is necessary to reach some goal. It is easier to remain isolated from society, for then we don’t have to participate in the greater community. In that sense we are playing the role of a victim, one who wants society to take care of them. It is like saying, “woe is me.” Jesus called the man’s bluff and chose to make him clean. Why? Because, Jesus could. He had already demonstrated that he has the power to get rid of demons, heal people from their diseases and now make someone clean.

In the process the man is not only made clean, he is healed. “Immediately the leprosy left him.” Jesus then told him to say nothing to anyone and to show himself to the priest. But, he ignored that instruction and went and told everyone what had happened. He showed disrespect for the fundamental goodness of God. This forced Jesus to keep a low profile. He was no longer free to go out in public. Ironically, Jesus freed a man from isolation at the expense of being more isolated himself.

Why did Jesus heal him then? Jesus did not want anyone to be isolated from society just because they had an illness. In the first half of the 20th century our society isolated people with psychotic behaviors and mental health problems. Folks with Tuberculosis were kept is sanatoriums. We have learned however that folks could be treated at outpatient facilities and they were better off living in their communities where they would have the support of family and friends.

Jesus was all about setting people free. The leper could return to society and once again feel included. God wants us all to be free. We are all children of God and there is no reason to feel guilty or inferior just because we are different. Remember the movie, “Nerds.” In the end, the preps and the jocks were made to realize that everyone was included. Geeks, nerds, musicians, etc., were all affirmed as equals.

Jesus made the leper whole again because he touched him. In that day, to touch an unclean person was an unthinkable and even illegal act. By touching the leper Jesus stood in opposition to the religious leaders who believed someone who is clean should never touch someone who is unclean. In other words, Jesus broke the rules and reached across a social barrier which was taboo. We don’t like it when people attempt to change the rules. It is threatening. The more we are used to doing things a certain way the more they are perpetuated. Unfortunately, old rules and traditions can become exclusive.

Those who are afraid of touching an unclean person are trying to protect themselves. They don’t want to take a chance of becoming sick or attracting their ailment. Some just find it disgusting to touch a person who has an appearance that is offensive.

God does not find it offensive to touch. In fact, to touch is a loving act which has tremendous power. It means, “You are loved or I care.” It means you are part of the community. Years ago, when speaker of the house Sam Rayburn heard that he had terminal cancer, he shocked everyone when he announced that he was going back to his small town in Bonham, Texas. Everyone said to him: “They have got the finest facilities in Washington, D. C., why go back to that little town.?” Rayburn's words have been quoted so often that some of you have probably heard them. He said: "Because in Bohman, Texas, they know if you’re sick and they care when you die.” (from Sermons.com)

When I ride on elevators I have observed that people keep their distance from people they don’t know by withdrawing as much as possible. You can almost feel the tension when they rub shoulders. The same is true in public places, such as a restaurant waiting area or shopping mall. People don’t like to be touched. They like their space. When people get too close to their space they have an expression of horror or disgust.

We live in a society that is becoming more and more impersonal. For example; you can order just about anything on the internet and not have to have contact with another human being, like you would in a department store. We have drive through banks, fast food restaurants, drive-through cleaners and in Florida there is even a drive-through funeral home.

People want (and need) to be touched. Not just physically, but emotionally. People need to be acknowledged and accepted. When we are willing to risk crossing the barriers in our community we are extending a hand to those who feel isolated and "unclean." We are bridging the gap that isolates people in despair.

It’s no secret that when two people are in love they frequently hold hands. There is a profound sense of closeness of holding the hand of that special someone. But, somewhere along the line, couples quit holding each other’s hand. Perhaps they get out of the habit. Perhaps they take each other for granted. Or, perhaps they have grown apart. Several years ago I observed an older couple, in their eighties, sitting in a restaurant. Every day they would have lunch together, always sitting at the same table. But, what was different about this couple was where they sat. They sat close together, on the same side of the table.

Later I observed the woman sitting alone. I inquired about her husband and learned that he had died. I was so influenced by the love of these two people that I sat down with her and told her how sorry I was that her husband had died. With a tear in her eye she said, “You know what I miss the most? I miss him sitting close to me.”

There is simply no match for the power of touch. Jesus demonstrated to the people of his day that to touch the unclean is very powerful. The power of touch can bridge the divide and foster a sense of community. It gives hope to those in despair. Jesus made a conscious choice to touch a human being who was separated from society and set him free. Likewise, the power of touch can be a liberating power for us, a power that will enable us to be free and a power we can use to set others free.

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio