A hug is a powerful thing. Picture a sobbing mother and father clutching each other as they stagger in grief. A third person walks up, a pastor or close friend, and throws his arms around both of them. Their sorrow is too much for words, but his touch says enough and all that should be said.
Matthew said that “people were bringing all their sick” to Jesus—the Greek literally says “all those who were having badly” (Matthew 14:35). They reached out to touch Him, and if Jesus followed normal practice He touched them back. Jesus could heal from a distance—see how He healed a Roman officer’s servant (Matthew 8:5-13), but He preferred to work up close. He entered people’s personal space and touched those no one else would. He touched lepers (Matthew 8:2-3), blind beggars (Matthew 20:30-34), the demon possessed (Mark 9:25-27), and the dead (Matthew 9:23-25). Jesus touched anyone who was “having badly,” and “the touch of his hand healed every one” (Luke 4:40).
Jesus’ touch forged a connection between Him and the hurting. Luke says, “Everyone tried to touch him, because healing power went out from him” (Luke 6:19). Jesus’ touch also showed He identified with their plight. His touch said He was on their side.
Where do you need Jesus’ touch? He hasn’t promised to heal our physical needs immediately—though His Spirit can do that—but He has promised to forgive our sin and stay with us always (Matthew 28:20; 1 John 1:9). Run to Him, reach for Him, and know that He still helps those who are “having badly.”
Who needs your touch? Who needs to know that you stand with them and that you’re on their side? Your touch might be just the thing to lead them to Jesus.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Peter 2:1-25
More:
Read Acts 3:1-11 to learn how the power of a divinely inspired touch can change a person’s life and bring honor to God.
Next:
Who needs to be touched with the love of God? How has His touch transformed your life?
judithanne on December 22, 2013 at 10:11 am
‘……… I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. 8 He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk! Then, walking, leaping, and praising God, he went into the Temple with them.’ This verse from Acts 3 is absolutely a discipleship model. He gave Him Jesus…..and then helped him walk and the man was healed and strengthened to walk on his own…….even leap and praise God and give HIM the glory! Couldn’t resist sharing this as it is such a passion for me to disciple others.
A young couple in our area were just burned out of their home. They have a 3 week old baby girl who is going to need multiple surgeries in the near future to correct some birth defects. Our church is taking up a love offering at our Christmas Eve Service to help them………….they are certainly ‘having badly’ right now and need our touch as a body of Christ and we trust it leads them to Jesus.
wingshadows on December 22, 2013 at 6:41 pm
I am so grateful for the many touches from God and through His people. Many years ago I experienced a period of “having badly”. My mother, grandmother and a favorite aunt all died between thanksgiving and Christmas. Less than a month later I found my youngest sister in our basement dead from a self-inflicted gun shot wound. Shortly after that I was home from work, sick with the flu. A dear friend from my church called to check on me. One of things I mentioned was how much I missed my mother. Mom would always make a pot of home made potato soup. After that phone call I felt thankful for that touch of love from my fri’end. Approximately an hour later I heard footsteps on our front porch. When I looked out the front door I saw my friends 80 year old parents carrying a pot of homemade potato soup. This warmed my stomach …and my heart.
It reminds me of one of the Gaither songs we used to sing frequently at that time. He Touched Me and the line “He touched me and oh the joy that filled my soul.”
One of the lessons I have learned in the process of paying it forward is when an action or thought is laid upon your heart….do it …Now. If your don’t you bless the opportunity to be a blessing and also receive a blessing.
Merry Christmas ad have a Blessed New Year!
winn collier on December 24, 2013 at 10:15 am
another angle on how God has come near.
mike wittmer on December 25, 2013 at 10:50 am
Thank you for sharing these stories. They move me to touch others today.