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A hand on a shoulder. Or a hand simply holding yours. An earnest handshake. A hug.
Touch. We all know how important it is when we need it.

We really relish it when we are feeling alone, and when we feel we don't deserve it.

There is a caste in India known as the "Untouchables." It is believed that they are impure and therefore only fit to do work that is otherwise "unclean." In many cases, their presence is not noticed as their work puts them in terrible places (sewers, etc.) and they are required to stay away from others.

Lepers, at the time of Jesus, were considered untouchable. Touching one would make you ritually unclean. In fact, in many places, they had to shout out "Unclean! Unclean!" to passersby so they would know to stay away.  Their presence around other people was aggressively discouraged.

In his first miracle as he started out from his town in Mark 1, Jesus had a leper approach him and beg him. "If you choose, you can make me clean." "I do choose. Be made clean!" Then he reached out and touched the leper, and they were healed.

Throughout the Gospel, Jesus seems to be able to heal without even being in the room with the person, yet he intentionally touched the leper! Why? to invite trouble? (none was noted in the text, but you are not to touch lepers!) He was still early in his ministry and he hadn't built up the power to do a distance heal yet? (like that is a thing- this is Jesus, not a character in a game you need to power up!) Or did he do it to show us that Jesus crosses the "rules" to show us that God will love us even if we are "untouchable?"

Maybe, when we realize just how loved we are, and how Jesus gave all to show us that love, then you might truly respond -

Shackled by a heavy burden
'Neath a load of guilt and shame
Then the hand of Jesus touched me
And now I am no longer the same
He touched me, oh, He touched me
And oh, the joy that floods my soul
Something happened, and now I know
He touched me, and made me whole

(Lyrics from He Touchd Me, by the Gaither Vocal Band)