What an amazing thing is the human touch. It gives preemie babies strength to fight for their lives (fight little Remi... fight). Preemie twins are now placed together at times to help them encourage each other to fight and grow. An elderly person in the nursing home, given a baby doll to touch and hold, finds agitation slips away while rocking "their baby". Human touch is healing.
When we hurt. When we are scared. When we are sad. The right, compassionate touch fits the need. The hug or the arm around the shoulder... or holding a hand. Appropriate human touch is a beautiful thing. It helps us connect with others... deeply connect.
Little children find courage at the touch of a parent's hand. God says there will be woe for those who fail to help the children and widows. Widows and orphans... they need loving touch. They need to know they are not alone.
This is why the cause of human trafficking is so close to my heart. It encompasses so many of the widows and orphans that no one helped. They are victims pulled into the darkest side of this human existence. They are lost and wounded children of God. Again... touch should always be appropriate, safe, encouraging and compassionate. Those who are rescued and recovered have to relearn the joys and comfort of healthy human touch.
I am studying in the gospels right now. The truth is, Jesus did not need to touch someone to heal them, but he often did. Some people found their faith in being able to physically touch him. He savored and celebrated those who took him at his word, and simply believed... as did the centurion who is one of my personal favorites. For most of us, touch makes all the difference.
Jesus... in this scripture, sought to know a man's heart before he healed him. Actually, he knew the man's heart, but wanted him to speak it. Don't we all need to confess things out loud at times? This man was broken, lonely and desperate when he met Jesus.
A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said. Moved with compassion,[ Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed.-Matthew 1:40-42
In an instant, everything changed. At the touch of the Master's hand... healing and restoration. Oh, what a day for that man!
Other scriptures tell us that Jesus felt the healing power leave him when someone touched him, even in passing. This happened to a woman who had been bleeding for many years. In Jewish culture, this made her about as "unclean" as a human could be. She, like the rest of the crowds, were pressing in to get a glimpse of Him or a touch.
So Jesus and his disciples got up and went with him. Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe, for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment. ” -Matthew 9:19-22
She trusted that with just a touch... her life would change. That is Jesus. That is grace. That is the power of a touch.
Today, I am grateful for a touch.
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