The power of touch

A man with leprosy came to [Jesus] and begged him on his knees, "If you are willing, you can make me clean."

Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.

(Mark 1:40-42)

We learn many things by touching objects with our fingers. If we touch something hot we immediately understand to pull our fingers away so as not to get burned. When we touch something sharp we feel pain and stop what we are doing. Touch warns us of danger.

Touch also allows us to feel when something is cold such as an ice cube, rough as sandpaper is rough, smooth like this silky piece of fabric, or sticky. You probably know what it feels like to have honey on your fingers.

Touch is very useful. A pianist knows just how to touch the keys of the piano to make beautiful music and a potter knows how to touch clay to mold it into a lovely shape.

Doctors and nurses use their hands to examine patients so they can determine what causes their patients to feel sick. A caring touch can make people feel better. Think of how you feel when your child or grandchild gives you a hug or a friend holds your hand or pats you on the shoulder. That kind of touch can make you feel loved and help you have courage when you feel afraid.

The Bible teaches us that Jesus touched people because he cared for them and wanted to make them feel better. The Scripture tells this story:

A leper came to Jesus, kneeled before him and begged for help. Other people viewed the leper as being unclean and the leper said to Jesus, "If you choose, you can make me clean."

Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said to him, "I do choose. Be made clean." Immediately the disease of leprosy left the man and he was healed.

Jesus had a very powerful touch -- the power to heal and comfort. Jesus' touch caused miracles to happen.

We may not be able to cause miracles to happen as Jesus did, but each one of us is given the opportunity to use God's love to touch others in ways that comfort and heal.

God, thank you for one another and for the gift of touching. Thank you for loving us and wanting us to be healthy and well. In Jesus' name, Amen

Charlotte Austin McCary's Chapel United Methodist Church