I love my Adirondack chairs on the back porch! When we first moved in last April, our dining table sat vacant for months as we enjoyed the spring and summer dining outdoors! One thing we’ve learned, however, after popping the fire out of each other one time too many, is that static electricity builds up in Polywood lumber no matter how grounded you are! Try leaning in for a kiss and having an electric arc where your noses meet! Ouch! Touch is powerful even when it’s not electric!
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about experiencing life more fully, the abundant kind of life Jesus promised- no doubt prompted by our empty nest on the heels of my cancer diagnosis. God designed our human bodies to experience the physical world He created with five senses- sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. He crafted our souls to commune with Him much more deeply! Our senses allow the input necessary for interaction, but our minds, hearts, souls, and spirits interpret and understand intangible ingredients that bring depth and richness to life!
Newborn babies are placed skin to skin on their mother’s chest as soon after their first breath as possible! Study after study has proven that children neglected experience failure to thrive for simple want of touch.
Simply being held in my husband’s arms can erase a day’s worth of mental anguish! Hugs are an integral part of my love language making the pandemic even more of a day to day struggle for me.
Jesus was known for touching even the untouchables of His day. He reached out to lepers, the blind, the lame, even the dead when a simple word would have sufficed to bring wholeness, healing, and life. Those whom society had labeled “unclean” warranted His special attention.
“Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared.”
Matthew 8:2-3 NLT
https://www.bible.com/116/mat.8.2-3.nlt
“As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one.”
Luke 4:40 NLT
https://www.bible.com/116/luk.4.40.nlt
“A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said. Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.” Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother.”
Luke 7:12-15 NLT
https://www.bible.com/116/luk.7.12-15.nlt
Jesus risked what no one else dared because He had a gift no one else had- healing in His hands! God incarnate longed to be close to His creation, especially the hurting and weak! The same is true today! He rebuked His first followers for hindering little children from coming to Him and He lambasted the religious leaders for being a stumbling block! (Matthew 23:13)
“One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.”
Mark 10:13-16 NLT
https://www.bible.com/116/mrk.10.13-16.nlt
Jesus took time to nurture innocent children as He does all who come to Him in childlike faith. He even reached out to one who came against Him. On the night of His arrest, a servant of the high priest was caught in the crossfire, but our Great High Priest intervened on his behalf.
“And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.”
Luke 22:50-51 NLT
https://www.bible.com/116/luk.22.50-51.nlt
Our Lord and Savior was not hands-off in His ministry on the earth! Even in His final moments with His first followers, He presented Himself for inspection to evidence the truth of His resurrection repeatedly.
“Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.””
Luke 24:39 NLT
https://www.bible.com/116/luk.24.39.nlt
““Now Thomas (also known as Didymus ), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.””
John 20:25-29 NLT
https://www.bible.com/116/jhn.20.25-29.nlt
What evidence does this generation require to believe? We have been entrusted with the task of reaching out, offering evidence of “things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) The indwelling Holy Spirit enables us to be the body of Christ. We might experience a little static in the form of interference, immovability, or even pushback but our commission remains the same! We can reach the world for Christ!
“He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.”
Mark 16:15 NIV
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