Third Sunday in Lent - Touch
…As [Jesus] went, the crowds pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. Then Jesus asked, “Who touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you.” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I noticed that power had gone out from me.” When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. He said to hear, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” - Luke 8:42-48
In the Bible, if it’s said that Jesus is touching someone, he’s practically almost always healing someone. Maybe at first this seems unremarkable, or predictable. Almost like we would expect that yes, of course, when Jesus touches people, they are healed! Now, there are definitely times in scripture where Jesus heals someone without touching them (the power of intercession, baby!). But there’s something about Jesus, God incarnate, showing up on this earth with us and choosing to physically draw near to God’s people to offer healing through touch.
I can’t say that I know what it feels like to physically heal someone with my own touch (that doesn’t seem to be a gift I have, nor am I a medical professional). So, it’s even more wild to me when I think about Jesus in the above passage and how he could sense the difference between the crowd physically pressing in on his body and the slight touch of the fringe of his garment by the bleeding woman.
But I do know, and perhaps you do too, what it feels like to participate in a different kind of healing through touch. A hug shared between friends who haven’t seen each other in years; a hand on a shoulder that lets a weeping stranger know they are not alone; a hand held, bringing a new kid into a group of friends. Touch connects us, serving as a physical reminder that we are not alone.
Our sense of touch is powerful and helps to connect us in big ways to the world around us.
With all of this power, it isn’t always used for good. May the touch we participate in always be peaceable.
Invitation: Take a moment to reflect on times when touch has brought you comfort, joy, healing, or relief, and give thanks for those moments and people.
Prayer: (clasping your own hands together) Holy God, who healed through the simple power of touch, heal me, too! And bless my hands and my body, that when I offer physical touch to others, I may participate in your healing of the whole world. Amen.