12 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “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!” And immediately the leprosy left him. (Luke 5:12-13)

This passage of scripture has the title "Jesus Heals a Man with Leprosy" in my NIV Bible. Truly the focus of many is in the healing or cleansing of the man from this dreaded disease. There is however, more to this story that reveals the unconditional love of Christ. While the act of healing showed the power of Jesus, the act of touching the man showed His grace.

You see, leprosy was a disease that served as a death sentence for people of Jesus' time. Those who suffer from it were separated from society. They would no longer see their family, communicate to them nor feel their touch. No one would stand close to a man afflicted with leprosy much less touch him. In healing the man, all Jesus had to do was to say the word, He could have easily healed the man from a distance. But He chose to touch Him first. There is something that the touch of Jesus did to the man that His healing did not do. Through "the touch", the man saw that he was unconditionally loved and favored by God.

I think that the man’s life was already changed immensely by the touch of Jesus. Just to experience that close connection and love from someone was more than enough for him. Beneath the physical brokenness of the leprosy was the man's broken heart. This man was yearning and crying out for love! Then Jesus came. Before He healed the man. He touched him first.

In our brokenness and weakness, let's remember this story. Before healing comes, Jesus touches us first. In many instances His touch of grace, a reminder of unconditional love is enough to carry us through any circumstance. Jesus told Paul once, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9a). If you are a child of God and a follower of Christ, you are highly favored and loved unconditionally by God.

Be blessed, beloved in the Lord.