As a passionate Christian with a deep knowledge of the Bible, I am constantly inspired by the life-changing moments recorded in its pages. One recurring theme that never fails to encourage and motivate me is the touch of Christ.
Throughout the New Testament, we see Jesus reaching out to touch the lives of those in need, bringing healing, assurance, blessing, and more.
In this article, we will explore eight powerful moments where Jesus touched the lives of individuals, and how these encounters can inspire us to follow the perfect will of God and do what is right in our own lives.
1: Touch of Cleansing—Matthew 8:3
One of the most touching moments in the Bible is when Jesus healed a man with leprosy (Matthew 8:3).
- Leprosy was a dreaded disease in ancient times, not only because of its physical effects but also because it carried a social stigma, isolating those who were afflicted from their communities.
- However, when the leper approached Jesus, he expressed his faith by saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched the man, saying, “I will; be clean.” Instantly, the leprosy vanished, and the man was cleansed.
The touch of Jesus brought physical healing to the man with leprosy, but it also brought emotional and social healing. The man was no longer an outcast but was restored to his community and loved ones.
This powerful encounter teaches us that Jesus is not only able but willing to cleanse us from our sins and restore us to wholeness. It reminds us that no matter how dire our circumstances may seem, we can approach Jesus with faith and receive his touch of cleansing.
2: Touch of Cooling—Matthew 8:15
In another touching moment, Jesus visited the home of Peter and saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever (Matthew 8:15). Jesus immediately touched her hand, and the fever left her. She got up and began to serve Jesus and his disciples.
Jesus’ touch brought instant healing to Peter’s mother-in-law, and she responded with gratitude and service. This shows us that when Jesus touches our lives, it empowers us to serve others and live a life of purpose and meaning.
This moment also highlights Jesus’ compassionate nature and his willingness to care for our physical needs. It reminds us that we can always turn to him in times of sickness or distress, knowing that he is able to bring comfort and healing to our bodies and souls.
3: Touch of Opening—Matthew 9:29, Matthew 9:30
In yet another powerful moment, two blind men approached Jesus, asking him to have mercy on them and restore their sight (Matthew 9:29).
Jesus touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith, be it done to you.” Immediately, their eyes were opened, and they could see.
Jesus’ touch of opening not only restored the physical sight of these two men but also opened their eyes to the truth of who Jesus was. They recognized him as the Son of David, the promised Messiah, and they spread the news of their miraculous healing, glorifying God.
This encounter reminds us that Jesus has the power to open our eyes to the truth of his Gospel and reveal his plans and purposes for our lives. It encourages us to approach him with faith and expectantly wait for him to work in our lives in ways we may never have imagined.
4: Touch of Assuring—Matthew 17:7
One of the most profound moments of assurance in the Bible can be found in Matthew 17:7, where Jesus extends His touch of assuring. This touch came at a critical moment when Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John on a mountain.
- As the disciples were overwhelmed by the majestic appearance of Jesus, they fell on their faces in fear. But Jesus, in His loving and compassionate nature, touched them and said, “Rise, and have no fear.”
In that simple touch, Jesus provided assurance, comfort, and encouragement to His disciples, assuring them of His presence and power.
5: The Touch of Loosing – Mark 7:33
In Mark 7:33, Jesus performs a touch of loosing. He encounters a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment. Jesus took him aside from the crowd, put His fingers into the man’s ears, and touched his tongue with saliva.
Then, looking up to heaven, Jesus sighed and said to the man, “Be opened.” Immediately, the man’s ears were opened, and his tongue was loosed, allowing him to hear and speak clearly.
- The symbolism in this miracle is profound. The man’s physical ailments represent the spiritual deafness and inability to speak truth that plagues humanity.
Jesus’ act of taking the man aside from the crowd shows the importance of individual attention and personal connection in healing. His use of saliva and touch demonstrates the power of physical touch and the connection between the physical and spiritual realms.
6: The Touch of Blessing – Mark 10:13
In Mark 10:13, we see Jesus offering a touch of blessing. People were bringing children to Jesus so that He could touch them and bless them. The disciples, however, rebuked the people and tried to prevent the children from coming to Jesus.
But Jesus, with great love and tenderness, said to the disciples, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” Jesus then took the children in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.
In this beautiful moment, Jesus exemplified His heart of compassion and His desire to bless and care for even the littlest and most vulnerable among us.
7: The Touch of Quickening – Luke 7:14
- In Luke 7:14, we witness the touch of quickening by Jesus. Jesus encountered a funeral procession in the town of Nain, where a widow was grieving the loss of her only son.
As Jesus approached the coffin, He was filled with compassion for the woman and touched the bier, commanding the young man to arise. Instantly, the dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus presented him to his mother alive.
This miraculous touch by Jesus not only brought physical healing but also brought life and hope to a grieving mother, demonstrating Jesus’ power over death and His ability to bring new life and restoration.
8: The Touch of Healing – Luke 22:51
In Luke 22:51, we see Jesus performing a touch of healing. When Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, one of His disciples, Peter, attempted to defend Him with a sword, cutting off the ear of the high priest’s servant.
However, Jesus touched the servant’s ear and healed him, demonstrating His unwavering love and compassion, even in the face of betrayal and persecution. This touch of healing by Jesus not only restored physical wholeness but also revealed His divine nature as the Great Physician, the ultimate healer of body, mind, and soul.
Conclusion
The eight touches by Christ that we have explored – the touch of cleansing, cooling, opening, assuring, loosing, blessing, quickening, and healing – reveal the multifaceted nature of Jesus’ ministry and His heart of compassion for humanity.
Through His gentle and loving touches, Jesus demonstrated His power to cleanse us from sin, cool our anxious souls, open doors of opportunity, assure us of His presence and power, loose us from bondage, bless us abundantly, quicken us with new life, and heal us from all afflictions
