A few weeks ago, my wife and I were visiting family and decided to go for a walk. As we set about our journey, we came across the body of a raccoon that had met its unfortunate end. While I felt some sympathy for the raccoon, I was far more concerned about what to do with the remains as it had rudely passed away in my relatives’ yard. 

We contacted the police department for guidance, who channeled us to the Department of Natural Resources who sent us to Animal Control, looking for the “proper” but definite way to remove what was now a foul-smelling bundle of bones, bugs, and deteriorating flesh. Our efforts to outsource the removal of the animal proved to be fruitless. Now it was clear to me that we were going to have to dispose of the remains. 

Animal Control told us that one option was to double-bag the carcass and throw it in the trash. So, with some sympathy for the poor guy, we went about our task. With great care, we manipulated the bags to load, but not touch, the body.  The poor critter was dropped into his temporary resting place until the Sanitation Department could finish the job. It was nasty; it was smelly; and neither of us wants to do it again. 

Now that I’m living life as a retired raccoon undertaker, I read where Luke records Jesus healing a leper and bringing a widow’s son back to life: 

Luke 5:12-13 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.”

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.

Luke 7:11-15

 Soon afterwards He went to a city called Nain; and His disciples were going along with Him, accompanied by a large crowd. Now as He approached the gate of the city, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a sizeable crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her, and said to her, “Do not weep.” And He came up and touched the open coffin; and the bearers came to a halt. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise!” The dead man sat up and began to speak. And Jesus gave him back to his mother. 

While it was no surprise to me that Jesus healed one man and brought back to life another, I was overwhelmed by how Jesus physically touched both of them BEFORE he healed them. I would rather be back with our raccoon than with a leper or a dead body, but Jesus behaved differently. One was covered in sores, and one had been dead long enough to be ready to be placed in a tomb. They were both physically “nasty” and according to Jewish law were also ceremonially unclean. Anyone who came in contact with the leper or the body, particularly a rabbi, would be considered contaminated until undergoing ritual cleansing. Jesus could have healed both with just a word. This would have been both more hygienic and would have pacified the culture of the day. However, despite their “unclean” status, Jesus didn’t base his unconditional love or caring touch on their current condition. Neither did He base it on the expectations of others.

I am challenged by this in many ways. Am I willing to approach Jesus in my current “nasty” state like the leper did? How much do I take for granted that Jesus has given my formerly dead body a brand-new life? Do I buy the lie that I need to make myself worthy before I go to Him? 

 Who do I look at as “nasty” and untouchable? Do I see them with Jesus’ eyes or with eyes that seek ease and comfort? In what ways do I suggest that they “get clean” before I will engage? 

Do I encourage those who are open to a new life or a cleansing touch to approach Jesus as they are? Through Jesus there is healing! Once the healing has taken place, change begins. Max Lucado penned “God loves you just the way you are, but he refuses to leave you there. He wants you to be just like Jesus.”

Whatever state you are in, or whomever God has placed in your path, let us pray that “nasty” hands reach out to the One reaching for us. The One who gave His life for us desires to heal the untouchable and give life to the dead, for His glory and our good.