Girls have cooties. Well, they did have cooties when I was on the brink of adolescence. Since cooties may not be an internationally known phenomena, I’d better explain. “Cooties” is nothing more than a made-up word to say that someone or a class of folks are untouchable and unapproachable. In the estimation of many boys ages 8-11, well, girls have cooties.
While the imaginations of young boys concerning girls are mostly harmless, the basic premise of untouchableness is harmful. There have been many different barriers erected between people, tribes, nations, and ideologies. Barriers that make the others untouchable, unapproachable, and unwanted. But Jesus shattered those barriers with just a touch.
Consider, “While he was in one of the towns, a man was there who had leprosy all over him. He saw Jesus, fell facedown, and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Reaching out his hand, Jesus touched him, saying, “I am willing; be made clean,” and immediately the leprosy left him.” (Luke 5:12–13, CSB)
In that day and age, the leper was untouchable. Literally and figuratively untouchable. They were the outcasts of outcasts. They were so much an outcast that they were required to publicly declare their uncleanness if they encountered a member of accepted society.
Notice what Jesus does – He touched the untouchable. That one touch risked disease, ritual uncleanness, and rejection by others. Jesus didn’t care; He touched the man anyway. Now, Jesus could have spoken healing with the same results. But Jesus touched him. You see, Jesus was healing more than the physical scars of leprosy. He was also healing the internal scars of rejection and anger.
It’s hard and risky to touch the untouchable. To make friends with the outcast or help someone deemed undeserving. But that is Jesus’ example we are to follow. Christ followers don’t erect barriers; we go around, over, or through them. It’s not easy, and it is often against our natural desires.
For instance, I have a friend who touched the untouchable. Back at the height of the AIDS crisis, we didn’t understand much. My friend volunteered to serve those in the hospital suffering from the ravages of the disease. Some would say they were receiving their just desserts for a sinful lifestyle. Could be. But the Christian response is not rejection but comfort expressed with a touch, a kind word, and a cup of cold water.
Who are the untouchables in your life? Who has cooties? Who are the uncasts and undesirables? Who does Jesus want to touch through you?
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