“He touched me, oh, He touched me. And oh, the joy that floods my soul! Something happened, and now I know, He touched me, and made me whole.” Gaither Vocal Band, 1989.
Over the course of this month, I’ve written several things in my morning journal that related to “touching” found in the Bible. It must be something God wants me to think about and share with my Christian family. As I prayed, studied, and thought, I realized there were times when Jesus touched people and other times when people touched Him. The result was always the same, they were healed. Sometimes, it was a single person and other times it was a small or large crowd.
After Jesus had rebuked the fever in Simon’s mother-in-law, “At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.” (Luke 4:40). This was a community crowd. Then, after Jesus healed the daughter of the Canaanite woman, He went up on the mountainside where, “Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them.” (Matthew 15:30). Did He touch them all? We don’t know but He could have just said, “All of you be healed!” But they brought them, one by one, and laid them at His feet. I think He touched them.
Here are some others that Jesus touched.
Children – “People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them.” (Luke 18:15).
A man with leprosy – “Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy.” (Matthew 8:3).
Jairus – Jairus was an important man in his society and he came to Jesus requesting healing for his daughter. “My little daughter is very sick. Please come and place your hands on her, so that she will get well and live!” (Mark 5:23). Jesus started out with him to where his daughter was. “He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha, koum,” which means, “Little girl, I tell you to get up!” (v. 41)
Peter, James and John – “And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.” (Matthew 17:7). This was after these disciples had joined Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration where they witnessed Jesus being transfigured and saw Moses and Elijah. They were so frightened that they fell to the ground. Again, Jesus touched them. Jesus touched a lot of people!
Then, there were times when people touched Jesus.
The woman – “And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.” (Luke 8:43-45). This woman took action and risked punishment to go out of seclusion because of her disease and find Jesus so she could just touch Him. She was rewarded. “He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you.” Mark 5:34).
The sick – “And wherever he went—into villages, towns or countryside—they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.” (Mark 6:56). This woman and these people got up and went out to where Jesus was and took action for their loved ones to be healed. Sometimes we have to get up off the couch and take action too.
The centurion – “Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?” Matthew 8:7). “But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” (v. 8). The faith of this man was great, and Jesus honored him for it. Jesus just spoke the word and the servant was healed at that time. There was no touching, but the centurion acted. Jesus’ words did the touching.
How about us? “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will…lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” (Mark 16:17-18). We can touch Jesus by reaching out to others in need. Jesus can touch them if we will believe on Him and act in His name. And, in order for Jesus to touch us, we need to be close to Him. “Draw near to Me and I will draw near to you.” (James 4:8). Do you have the “Touch”? Have you been “Touched”?
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