Exactly Who Is Untouchable?

By Lani Bersch

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them."
Matthew 5:3

How is it possible for those two ideas to be in the same sentence? Have you wondered, I mean really wondered, what it means to be poor in spirit? What it means to have the entire kingdom of heaven potentially as my inheritance? I want to understand how both ideas play out in my day-to-day life as a Christ follower. I need to understand what it means to touch the untouchable and exactly who is untouchable.

I confess before you, my brothers and sisters, that I have lived a lot of my Christian life believing I had an edge, something that set me apart. Always expecting to give more than I receive! While all of this sounds pretty noble and, dare I say, godly, seeing deep into my heart reveals the pride lying behind those beliefs. Not a pretty picture with an element of an "us and them" mentality! While I am willing to serve those in need, I definitely have a reaction of heart that clearly says I am not the one in need. I am willing to touch untouchables, of course. I mean after all, Jesus would. Just as long as you understand that I am not the untouchable one!

Two experiences have begun to change me. Visits to Wings of Hope in Haiti, where my daughter KC works with disabled children and to AIDS Interfaith Residential Services' home for AIDS affected people in Baltimore. I was humbled to find that residents in both places wanted to love and accept me. Much to my surprise, I left realizing that I had a lot to learn. I went prepared to "minister" and found needs I didn't even know I had were being met by the kindness of the residents who graciously allowed me into their lives.

The disabilities of those at AIRS and Wings are obvious. Many can't walk, speak, see, and some will die in the year. In my life, I sometimes struggle with depression, a disability which isn't visible but could make me "untouchable" to some. Here is a scripture that speaks to the very heart of what I am trying to say: A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean." Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. - Mark 1:40-42

Poverty of spirit means to me that I can be just as "untouchable "as those with AIDS, whether it's depression or hardness of heart that plagues me. I am just as in need of compassion from Jesus and my brothers and sisters as those who have disabilities or visible illnesses. Ultimately we all stand before Jesus the same...in need of healing, in need of love and in need of grace. The good news is that we are promised a great reward from being poor in spirit-the kingdom of heaven. What could be better than that?