When Jesus touched or was purposefully touched, there was a lot happening. He was showing his solidarity with outcasts. He was identifying with them. Of that, there is no doubt. When you see people purposefully touching, you know they are at least good friends. But if that’s all Jesus did, it would have been a nice but empty gesture. The outcasts would have felt temporary comfort but no real change in status. So there was much more happening. The accumulating references to “power” give it away.
With every intentional touch there was a transaction being made. “Power” goes out from Jesus to the person who was touched. Splice together various Scriptures and you will see that power is a loaded term that includes:
Meanwhile, the unclean person gave something to Jesus, the scapegoat. He or she gave:
- Holiness conferred (consecration)
- Forgiveness of sins
- Cleansing and purification
- Healing
- Identification with Jesus’ status
- Sins
- Shameful acts
- Victimization and its contamination
- Disease
This is the gospel: God touches us.
Much more at the link.
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