The body has a natural way of healing itself. The process is sevenfold when coupled with a touch from the people dear to us. ~John B. Bejo

We all have an unquenchable thirst to be loved. We come into this world needing to be cradled, cuddled and comforted.

It really doesn’t lessen with age.

In fact, dare I say that the need grows more desperate?

We live in a super-fast-paced technological world. We are disconnected from one another. We are too busy, too distracted by gadgets and devices. We lose our sense of touch.

We can be on our phone, endlessly scrolling through unimportant “news” while our five year old asks us the same question three times before we even look up.

Hours will pass as we sit at our computer; the kids are likely doing the same in another room. One in front of the television, another texting on the phone and even one more with video games he has chosen as his entertainment for the evening.

Opportunities for touch are few and likely disingenuous…all because we are preoccupied with “things”.

“There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him. After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!” ). At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.” Mark 7:32-35.

There it is…that touch.

Did you notice that Jesus “took him aside, away from the crowd”? He was alone with Jesus, closer to the Master. He could have instantly healed him there in the middle of his friends, family and the many onlookers. He had done that many times. But in this instance He took him away from the multitude, the frenzy, so that it was just the Need with the Healer.

He also could have healed him with just His spoken Word! He had done that many times before! But this time He used touch. Personal communication with the Master requires getting alone with Him, away from distractions and others who might hinder. If we really want to be touched by Jesus we must spend time with Him alone!

We do not know why Jesus healed in this manner; putting His fingers in the man’s ears, spitting and touching his tongue. But He did and the man was healed!

The woman with the “issue of blood” reached out and touched Jesus and He knew instantly that virtue was gone out of Him! The power of touch!

Is it possible to restore relationships and bring healing to broken hearts through a touch? Through a heartfelt hug, handshake, arm around a shoulder or hand in hand, could it change someone’s life? Could sharing a touch and taking time to love someone who is hurting perhaps bring them into relationship with the Savior?

Yes, it could.

“America’s present need is not heroics but healing; not nostrums but normalcy; not revolution but restoration.” ~Warren G. Harding

We all have been at the place where we have needed restoration, healing and renewal. Our words, and our touch, are very powerful. They can bring hurt or healing. Jesus took the time to touch and to heal. Shouldn’t we do the same today?

Our world is hurting, people are lost, confused and many feel desperate in these “last days”. The Lord made it our assignment to reach the lost and the hurting.

The video below shows the power of touch. Please watch it to the end, it is so beautiful to see what love and the power of a touch can do to those that are bound. (A special “thanks” to Susan Waldrip Taylor for the video.)

Let’s try it today.

 

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