DRIVEN BY A TOUCH

DRIVEN BY A TOUCH

The Jewish religious establishment seemed to have a perpetual problem with the Son of God, simply because Jesus would not act like He was ‘supposed’ to act.  Jesus just didn’t fit.  He never ever plugged into the patterns, policies or plans of the holier-than-thou religiosity that the Pharisees espoused.  And, at least according to the religious hierarchy, Jesus was always found doing the wrong thing!  One of the things I love best about Jesus is that he did not select his daily ‘companions’ on the basis of their status in society.  Quite the contrary!  Jesus seemed to have an affinity for those who were disapproved and dispossessed.  He seemed to gravitate to those who were rough-around-the-edges, those people pummeled by pain and shackled with sorrow.  How I love the incredible compassion of Jesus…and how I love Him!

Not only was it the norm for Jesus to purposefully encounter needy people, they were simultaneously drawn to Him by virtue of His charismatic compassion and magnetic ministry.  It is a most striking pattern.  Because of this, Jesus’ detractors labelled Him as a glutton, a winebibber and a friend of sinners. (Luke 7:34)  In fact, the more unsavory those contemporary characters were, the more at ease they would eventually feel in the presence of the King of Kings.  How interesting and how intriguing!  Who was it that Jesus would seek out, and who would seek Him?  Among the multitudes, several examples stand out: a Samaritan woman who was a social outcast, a woman with a spirit of infirmity who had been bent over for 18 years, ten lepers who had no relatives or friends who owned or assisted them, a disliked military officer of the tyrant King Herod, a woman who had been possessed by seven demons, an abominable tax collector who pilfered as much as he collected for the Roman government, a man struggling with so many demonic spirits that he spent his days naked and cutting himself in the cemetery, a female adulterer who was about to be stoned by an angry and self-righteous mob of men – and the list goes on and on and on. 

Due to Christ’s atypical connections, some of the more ‘respectable’ types labeled Him (and His friends) as unsavory and unsuitable.  The pious Pharisees dismissed Him as uncouth and worldly; the rich young ruler considered Him to be too dispassionate about material gain; and, even the more open-minded Nicodemus sought Jesus only under cover of night.  The religious legalists of Jesus’ day found His human associates to be wholly repulsive or, at best, questionable.

The Bible tells of numerous occasions when Jesus accepted dinner invitations.  Three of these (the wedding at Cana of Galilee, the hospitality of Mary and Martha, the interrupted meal in Emmaus after his resurrection) might be said to be ‘normal’ and ‘acceptable’ social occasions.  At other times, Jesus is observed going to dinner with sinners, defying cultural norms and religious expectations.  Two of these meals took place in the homes of unpopular tax collectors, Levi (Matthew) and Zachaeus.  When people strenuously objected, Jesus shrugged it off and declared “They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick,” and “The son of man is come to seek and save that which was lost.” (Matthew 9:12 and Luke 19:10) 

Later on, Jesus accepted the dinner invitation of a prominent Pharisee, which seemed more acceptable to religious practitioners.  But when He healed a man suffering from dropsy (excessive edema and swelling) on the Sabbath, religious leaders were outraged.  Of course, Jesus rejected their criticisms, declaring that His ministry is always available to social outcasts: the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.

Shortly before His vicarious suffering and death on the cross, and against the strong admonitions of Mosaic Law, Jesus dined with Simon, a leper (according to Mark) and a Pharisee (according to Luke). (Mark 14:3 and Luke 7:36)  During this dinner, a detestable woman from the city streets had the audacity to interrupt.  She kneeled down and washed the feet of Jesus with her tears and dried them with her hair.  Then she did a most unlikely thing: she took an alabaster box of precious ointment and anointed the feet of Jesus.  It was the most sincere act of worship, a prophetic pre-memorial for his impending crucifixion, but it was completely repugnant to onlookers, those who deemed themselves more righteous and more acceptable in the sight of God.  According to the biblical record, Simon thought “This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that touches him: for she is a sinner.” (Luke 7:39)

But Jesus Christ was fully aware of the identity and character of this woman – and Jesus Christ was fully aware of the essence and integrity of His own person and work. (Hebrews 13:8)  To wit, He transformed an ordinary social occasion into a ‘teachable moment’ – providing Simon a practical and memorable lesson on the atoning grace and mercy of God.  Finally, Jesus Christ forgave this worshiping woman for all of her sins and offered a benediction of “peace” upon her departure.  Hallelujah, what a Savior!

The intruding woman had not arrived there by virtue of any invitation or expectation of the dinner host.  She was ‘driven’ there – by the deepest of human needs – to touch and be touched by the Master.  Here is a most important question for you to consider: How badly do YOU want…how much do YOU need…TO TOUCH HIM? If you really need JESUS CHRIST (and you do) – whether it be to establish a new and personal relationship with Him, or to renew your former covenant with Him, DO NOT allow anyone or anything to stand in your way.  YOU can and will be totally transformed and miraculously healed by His touch, so I strongly urge you to reach out and touch HIM…today.  Your life will never be the same!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!