Kiley had ventured outside her home country only once in her 18 years. So when she had the chance to go to Kenya to help with a medical mission, she was thrilled—and a little uneasy. After all, she didn’t have any real medical experience.
As she provided basic medical care in a remote village, she met a woman with elephantiasis. It’s a horrible but treatable disease caused by parasitic worms. Elephantiasis causes grotesque swelling in the lower half of the body. Prevention includes simply wearing shoes. But in poverty-stricken Africa, many villagers have little or no access to such basic needs.
Kiley was repulsed by the woman’s distorted leg, but she proceeded to clean and bandage it. The woman began crying. Startled, Kiley asked if she was hurting her. “No,” she replied. “It’s the first time in 9 years that anyone has touched my leg.”
Leprosy is another disease that renders its victims repulsive to others. Ancient Jewish culture had strict guidelines to prevent it from spreading. “They must live in isolation . . . outside the camp,” read the Levitical law (Leviticus 13:45-46). Sufferers had to loudly announce “unclean” from a far distance to prevent others from approaching them.
That’s why it’s so remarkable that a leper had the nerve to approach Jesus and say, “Lord, . . . if You are willing, You can heal me and make me clean” (Matthew 8:2). Jesus did the unthinkable. He “reached out and touched him,” says the New Testament account. “I am willing,” He said. “Be healed” (Matthew 8:3).
In touching a lonely woman’s diseased leg, Kiley was imitating the fearless, taboo-breaking love of Jesus. It was one tiny touch, but it made a difference. What difference will you make today?
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 1:19-34
More:
To understand more about the detailed Jewish laws covering leprosy and other skin diseases, see Leviticus 13:1-46.
Next:
Is there someone you are afraid to touch? Why is this so? What might need to change for you to become more like Jesus?
lindagma on June 16, 2011 at 6:25 am
There are many ways we can reach out and touch others. Simple, thoughtful, day-to-days acts that can make a persons day or turn them in a life changing direction.
I just finished reading “One Simple Act” by Debbie Macomber. It’s a wonderful guide to becoming a selfless and loving Christian.
tim gustafson on June 16, 2011 at 9:26 am
I’m convinced that everything we do — whether selfless or selfish — has a ripple effect for good or for bad. We never fully know the impact our small acts of kindness have on the rest of the world.
selahgirl on June 16, 2011 at 10:46 am
I’m inspired to be the best Christian I can be by reading ODJ everyday. Thank you !
winn collier on June 16, 2011 at 8:55 pm
thanks, Tim. In my little world, we’ve been having lots of conversations about how/when/if God shows up. We keep coming back to the fact that God most often show up in us. Thanks for this expression of that truth.