On a beautiful spring-like Sunday, to a sanctuary full of worshipers, Rev. David Diller preached “Touching the Untouchable” from Mark 1:40-45.           After the opening day of his ministry, Mark says Jesus goes early the next morning to be alone for prayer.  If Jesus needed a break from work, surely we do, too.   Sabbath worship & rest is essential to our well-being.  But Jesus is faced with a crisis when a leper seeks healing.  According to the priestly codes lepers were unclean & ceased to be human.   They were as untouchable as the dead.   People could not greet or even come within 2 yards of a leper in open spaces, 50 yards if they were downwind.

Jesus breaks through all barriers & touches the untouchable.  Jesus welcomes & embraces the outcast, restoring him to health & to society.   Even the dead are restored to life by Jesus’ love.