People are funny. Have you ever known someone who was a “hugger?” Every time you see them they give you a hug. Some times it drives me crazy, but other times it’s nice. You may or may not be a hugger, but either way we are all physical creatures. We have five senses: hearing, seeing, tasting, smelling and touching. Each sense offers us a point of connection with the outside world.
Physical touch is something that we can easily take for granted, not just touching something or someone else, but also the feeling of being touched by someone else. Some people hug, some people shake hands, while others pat on the back or high five. Very few people will voluntarily go for extended periods of time without some form of affirming touch. It’s simply the way we have been created; it’s our nature.
Jesus and the people he rubbed shoulders with were no different; humans have always desired the affirming touch of another. However, in the ancient culture, before modern medicine, if a person had a serious skin disease, they were exiled from the entire community for the rest of their life or until the disease was completely gone. They were not allowed to touch anyone and had to shout out in humiliation “unclean, unclean!” whenever they were anywhere close to other people.
The Bible records a specific encounter that Jesus had with a man who had leprosy. Look closely at Jesus’ first response to the man. “Large crowds followed Jesus as He came down the mountainside. Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached Jesus. He knelt before Him, worshiping. "Lord," the man said, "if You want to, You can make me well again." Jesus touched him. "I want to," He said. "Be healed!" And instantly the leprosy disappeared.” (Matthew 8:1-3)
I believe that Jesus gave hope to that man simply by touching him. It was, perhaps, the first time anyone had purposely touched him in years. Can you imagine what the man must have felt when Jesus wrapped His fingers around his diseased arms and gently lifted him up? Can you hear the gasps and whispers of the crowd who were amazed at such an act of compassion?
Today, as an act of worship lets let God use our hands to show compassion to those outcasts who need it most by offering them a touch of affirmation. It may be a handshake, it may be a hug, but let God be in control.
Physical touch is something that we can easily take for granted, not just touching something or someone else, but also the feeling of being touched by someone else. Some people hug, some people shake hands, while others pat on the back or high five. Very few people will voluntarily go for extended periods of time without some form of affirming touch. It’s simply the way we have been created; it’s our nature.
Jesus and the people he rubbed shoulders with were no different; humans have always desired the affirming touch of another. However, in the ancient culture, before modern medicine, if a person had a serious skin disease, they were exiled from the entire community for the rest of their life or until the disease was completely gone. They were not allowed to touch anyone and had to shout out in humiliation “unclean, unclean!” whenever they were anywhere close to other people.
The Bible records a specific encounter that Jesus had with a man who had leprosy. Look closely at Jesus’ first response to the man. “Large crowds followed Jesus as He came down the mountainside. Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached Jesus. He knelt before Him, worshiping. "Lord," the man said, "if You want to, You can make me well again." Jesus touched him. "I want to," He said. "Be healed!" And instantly the leprosy disappeared.” (Matthew 8:1-3)
I believe that Jesus gave hope to that man simply by touching him. It was, perhaps, the first time anyone had purposely touched him in years. Can you imagine what the man must have felt when Jesus wrapped His fingers around his diseased arms and gently lifted him up? Can you hear the gasps and whispers of the crowd who were amazed at such an act of compassion?
Today, as an act of worship lets let God use our hands to show compassion to those outcasts who need it most by offering them a touch of affirmation. It may be a handshake, it may be a hug, but let God be in control.
Food for thought and comment: Have you ever been in that place where you just needed a touch from someone? Perhaps you were abandoned, home sick, heart broken, or lonely. Did anyone come to help you? How did it make you feel?
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