The theme of Jesus touching people is seen throughout the book of Mark. Jesus touches those that the religious elite would never touch. Jesus ministers to those the elite shun and deny. The Jewish religion began as a pure and beautiful thing, but years of tradition and repetition created a comfortable setting where an idea of God became the truth. When this happens–then and now–we miss the truth of who God is and what He is about; we shun those to whom He is reaching. Jesus sought to break the elitism by constantly touching the untouchable. His humanity showed through; He is the God who is connected to the details of your life. Jesus could have healed the man with just a word, but He touched the man and connected with him on the human level; and it was in this touch that He brought the healing.

For more on Jesus’ healings, check out whatsyourmark.org