(The following is the March 10 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read Luke 5 and pay close attention to verses 12-13.)

Ample Bible passages warn us about involvement with those who do or encourage evil. From Solomon’s proverbs warning his son about choosing companions to the gospel warning about the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, Scripture advises against getting entangled with those who act or influence contrary to God’s Word. Since we also must bring the gospel to those who need it, such warnings are not instructions to never interact with the ungodly but to beware lest they unduly influence us to join them in their sin.

We may recall times when others persuaded us to do things we might never have initiated ourselves. Parents and concerned others may have warned us about the company we keep and getting involved with the wrong crowd. Those sounding such alarms know that we are at risk when we place ourselves in situations with negative influencers.

Jesus, however, was pure and sinless. He could share a meal with sinners without sinning himself and touch a diseased person without getting the disease. Even though others would never consider touching someone with leprosy, Jesus did not hesitate or fear the situation. For him, the impact went in the other direction. He brought healing – physical and spiritual – to those he encountered. Even touching a leper did not make Jesus unclean. Instead, it cleaned the leper. The crowds were amazed at Jesus’ actions and responded by bringing more people to him for healing.

That is the influence Christians should have in a sin-sick world. Untainted by the darkness and sin we encounter, we can bring help, hope, and spiritual healing in Jesus’ name.

Next Step:
Who is someone in your neighborhood, school, workplace, church, or community whom many consider untouchable? What act of kindness can you carry out for the person in Jesus’ name?