I should probably clarify that statement. There are many different types of physical touch. Not all of them are good or healthy. But the kind of touch that I am talking about this morning is a compassionate, unselfish, loving, almost sacrificial touch.
Today's picture is of a woman who is about to touch someone. There is no hint of danger or sexual immorality here. Rather, I see hope in the woman's eyes. A hesitant expectation of things to come.
The man she is about to touch is Jesus. And WHY does she want to touch Him? It's because she has heard of Him and the things He has done. She wishes and hopes that He can heal her of a medical condition that has tormented her for years. And she has FAITH that Jesus can do it.
"A large crowd followed and pressed around him (Jesus). 25And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
30At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
31“You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”
32But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” - Mark 5:24-34
We humans don't have any power whatsoever. Our "power" comes from our belief in God. HE has the power. Still, there is power of sorts in physically touching someone in compassion, especially these days. God did not give us a spirit of fear however.
If there is someone in your life who needs a hug or a prayer, hug them. Reach out and touch them as you pray for them. It's an expression of love. Something the world is in desperate need of right now.
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." - 1 John 4:18
He Touched Me - Gaither Vocal Band
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