12 While Jesus was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man full of leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell on his face, and begged him, saying, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.”

13 He stretched out his hand, and touched him, saying, “I want to. Be made clean.”

Immediately the leprosy left him. 14 He commanded him to tell no one, “But go your way, and show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing according to what Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.” 15 But the report concerning him spread much more, and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. 16 But he withdrew himself into the desert, and prayed.

Luke 5:12-16 - World English Bible

Jesus cured a leper, but Luke gave the healing a twist. The Law of Moses commanded those with skin disease to live in quarantine outside cities where they could not contaminate others. Unlike many of the other leprosy miracles, Luke placed the leper in the proximity of others (in the city) and at the healing touch of Jesus. Like the other leprosy narratives, Jesus instructed the man to present himself to the priests so they could confirm the health of the man and, so, lift the quarantine on the man. And, like the others, the reputation grew so much, Jesus had to escape to the wilderness to find solace with his Father.

Sometimes we need both healing and quiet time to recharge, yet, the intimacy of our urban settings deny us that chance. At those times, we need to turn to Jesus and ask for his gentle touch.

When have you asked for healing from the Lord? What happened?