Some time back, a group from my church went to Guatemala on a mission trip. On their last night there, one of the members of the group ran into another mission team, and overheard one of their members addressing his group. Speaking of the people they were there to minister to, this person said…
“Are any of you going to touch them? The Bible said Jesus spoke the word and they were healed… I’m not touching them.”
It’s sad to see Jesus misrepresented and misinterpreted in that way. The Bible puts great emphasis on human touch. If you don’t think touch is important…
Ask the blind man that Jesus touched and he received his sight.
Ask the person who is comforted by a gentle hand of a friend on their shoulder.
Ask the woman who was healed, simply because she touched the hem of Jesus’ robe.
Touching the heart often begins with a smile, a handshake, or a hug. The Bible encourages human touch for anointing and healing.
So… How are you touching the world around you?
The Heart of Abba - Ron Phillips 