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Friday, May 27, 2011

Touching Jesus

Today, I want to talk about ‘touching Jesus.’  I have three examples from the Bible where people ‘touched’ Jesus. 

Let’s take a look at John, chapter 20 verses 24 thru 28:
"24Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.  25So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"  But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."  26A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!"  27Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."  28Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" 

Next we have the woman who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears.  Let’s look at  Luke 7:37-38:  
"37When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at 
the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38and as she stood behind Him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears.  Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 
This woman…the Bible doesn’t tell us who she is…only that she was desperate to ‘touch’ Jesus.  Now, let me ask you this…in order to ‘touch’ something or someone, what do you have to do?  You have to ‘reach’ out.

Ok…one last example…Let’s take a look at Mark, chapter 5 verses 25-28:
"25And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years.  26She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.  27When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28because she thought, "If I just ‘touch’ his clothes, I will be healed."

All this woman wanted to do was bless Jesus.  And as a result of her desperation, Jesus forgave her of her sins.

Is there anything that you see as a common thread in all of these stories?  The common thread is that each of these 3 people ‘touched’ Jesus.  Now, earlier I asked you what you have to do to ‘touch’ someone or something…What was the answer?  …  You have to REACH out…or  REACH UP!!!

Ok…I have one last story…it’s about a young girl named Bethany Hamilton.  Have you heard of her?  You should have…her story was made into a move…maybe you’ve heard of it…Soul Surfer?

Bethany was 13 years old when the shark attacked her took her left arm.  Having both arms is pretty important for a surfer.  Surfers use their arms for balance on the surfboard.  This shark attack left her with only her right arm.  

Bethany may have thought her life as a surfer was over…all she ever wanted to do was be a surfer.  She was very good at it, too.  She entered many surfing competitions and did very well.  Now, all of the sudden, in the blink of an eye…she has lost one of her arms.  

However, even with one arm…Bethany decided that she wasn’t going to let that keep her from doing what she loved.  She still had one good arm and she wanted to surf.  She was willing to do whatever was needed to be able to do that one thing…SURF.

She loves God and she knew He would be with her and help her to accomplish what she needed to.  And you know what…she did accomplish her dream.  She got right back in that ocean and succeeded.

So what does that have to do with us?  Well, here’s what I see…Bethany Hamilton used to have 2 good arms…a shark attacked her and took 1 of her arms.  That left her with 1 good arm.

You know what…all it takes is 1 arm to REACH UP.  All we need is 1 good arm to reach up to our God.  When our life is looking down…when we feel like the devil has attacked us and ‘taken our left arm,’ we still have that 1 good arm…with which we reach up to Jesus!  All we have to do is REACH up and ‘TOUCH’ Him…let Him do in us what He needs to do to help us to ‘accomplish’ our dreams…IF they are His purpose for us. 

Can we be like Bethany…and that woman in the Bible with the issue of blood?  What was it that the woman said,   "28because she thought, "If I just ‘touch’ his clothes, I will be healed."  (Mark 5:28)

Change that word ‘healed’ to anything you want…If I can just touch Jesus, I will ____!  Won't you reach up and touch Him right now?


Walking the walk & Talking the talk,


5 comments:

Phather Phil Malmstrom said...

Great message Debi! I've actually been wanting to see Soul Surfer since I heard the trailer on the local Christian radio station. Inspiration is always a good thing!

May we all "touch" our Savior, and be transformed!

Have a Blessed Weekend!

Jenifer Metzger said...

Great post! I want to put my hand up and touch God!!!

Deane said...

I have heard about this girl. She should be able to teach us life is not over just because something is taken away, it can and will make us stronger; all we have to do is reach up and touch Jesus. When one thing is taken away if we just watch what Jesus can do in our life, He gives us something to take its place. Thanks for a GREAT reminder. Blessings and love you.

Unknown said...

I want to that desperate for God - willing to push through the crowds so I can touch Him. I'll keep reaching up.

Connecting to the soul said...

Great post thanks . I will have to remember that it only takes one arm to reach up and out.

Deb.