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I’m to Touch Who?
By Rev. Greg Johnson
Luke 5:12-16
(Luke 5:12-16 NIV) "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." {13} Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" And immediately the leprosy left him. {14} Then Jesus ordered him, "Don't tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them." {15} Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. {16} But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."
Big Idea: Jesus as our example, touched the socially undesirables of His day at their point of need, met their needs and refueled for more powerful point of need ministry.
My thoughts:
- This man was in great need and he went directly to Jesus with his need.
- Lepers were the social outcasts of Jesus’ day. Everywhere they went, they had to identify their self as a leper. They could not touch or be touched. They mostly lived their life in seclusion from society.
- Luke the doctor identifies this man as being “covered” with leprosy.
- This social outcast possessed much faith in Jesus’ ability to make him whole, but little faith in Jesus willingness to make him whole.
- Jesus showed His willingness by healing the man and went a step further by touching the social outcast.
- Even though Jesus stayed busy with point of need ministry, He never neglected refueling. He would get off by Himself and pray. This is where He received His instructions and power for more point of need ministry.
How is this relevant to us in our day?
- Our greatest need is cleansing from sin.
- We need to go directly to Jesus with all of our needs. Jesus is not only able to meet our needs, but Jesus is willing to meet our needs.
- Jesus showed us His willingness to meet our every need at the cross. God’s Word says (Isaiah 53:5 NIV) "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."
- In touching the social outcast at his point of need, Jesus shows His followers today how to minister. We are to touch the social outcast today at their point of need. Social outcasts today include the homeless, the incarcerated, those transitioning into society from incarceration, the poor and the inflicted. Who and where are the social outcasts in your city? Who can you touch for Jesus?
- We are never to neglect refueling through prayer. Touching people at their point of need is important and we are never to neglect it, but we must find time to get alone and spend time for prayer. It’s where we receive our instructions and power for more point of need ministry.
I love God’s Word. It is so relevant to us today!
Amen!
Know that you are loved,
Greg Johnson, http://www.GAJohnson.org
Founding Pastor, http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org
Loving God Fellowship, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit that is helping the poor and the suffering around the world. Loving God Fellowship is an interdenominational Christ following fellowship with a church plant in Salem, Oregon, and a worldwide Internet church community @ http://www.LGFinternetChurch.org .
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