He Touched Me

Isn’t touch a powerful thing?

I think of the great love that can be shown through holding a hand or standing beside someone. I think of the great comfort that can be given and received in an embrace.

And didn’t Jesus convey not just awesome power and healing in his touch – but also great love? He intentionally, compassionately, lovingly touched the untouchable!

When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” ~ Matthew 9:28-29

And a leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, “I will; be clean.” ~ Mark 1:40-41

Jesus took purposeful time to put his hands on children, holding them, to bless them – though even his disciples did not understand!

Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. ~ Luke 18:15-16

When one disciple zealously cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant, Jesus didn’t just wave it off, but rather used his hands to heal than to hurt:

But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him.  ~ Luke 22:51

Of course, famously (or perhaps infamously) is Thomas:

Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.”  Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” ~ John 20:27-29

He needed to touch Jesus in order to believe him and his resurrection.

But, you might say, Jesus has ascended! How can I touch him now? How can he touch me?

Touch is for the heart, just as much as the body:

He heals the brokenhearted
    and binds up their wounds. ~ Psalm 147:3

You have to touch someone to bind their wounds – and the wounds God heals are the ones on the inside – of the heart! He alone has the expertise, the compassion and the creative power to restore our wounded hearts!

God touches us as He reshapes our lives, our hearts, our very selves

Then the word of the Lord came to me: “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the Lord. Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. ~ Jeremiah 18:5-6

How does a potter shape the clay? Well, it has to be in his hands! Do you feel broken down, remolded, reshaped, hurting?

Dear heart, it’s because he holds you in his hands! His hands are the ones building a new vessel! His hands are the ones that will build you into something beautiful and new.

God’s touch will be fully realized in heaven

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” ~ Revelation 21:3-4

I don’t know what kind of body we will have when we are raised. I don’t even know if we will have hands and fingers and eyes that produce tears – but that is beside the point.

Think of the intimacy, the beautiful understanding, the great love and tenderness of when someone sits beside you and wipes the tears from your face.

The Lord will wipe every tear from our eyes! And he walks beside you today at this moment, if you will let Him. He can touch you, heal you, strengthen you like no one else can.

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. (Bill and Gloria Gaither)