Jesus Touched Me

by Beth Fore

When John heard in prison
what Christ was doing, he sent
his disciples to ask him, “Are you
the one who was to come, or
should we expect someone else?” 
Jesus replied, “Go back and report
to John what you hear and see: The
blind receive sight, the lame walk,
those who have leprosy are cured,
the deaf hear, the dead are raised,
and the good news is preached to
the poor.  Blessed is the man who
does not fall away on account of me.”

(Matthew 11:2-6 NIV)

Jesus Touched Me

I am the blind man
begging Jesus to touch me.
“He put mud on my eyes,
I washed and now I see.”

I am the scorned leper
begging Jesus on my knees.
He reached out his hand
and cleansed me of leprosy.

I am the crippled woman
bent over to my knees.
Jesus said, “You are set free
from your infirmity.”

I am the sister of Lazarus,
who was sick and died.
When Jesus came to us,
He was troubled and cried.

Jesus went to the tomb
and in a loud voice He said,
“Lazarus, come out!”
and raised him from the dead.

I am a wretched sinner
forgiven by Jesus’ grace.
I am touched by Jesus’ hands.
as I rest in His warm embrace.

by Beth Fore

*John the Baptist knew that Jesus was the prophesied Savior and Messiah when he heard that Jesus was healing the blind, the lame, the deaf, the lepers, and raising the dead.  Jesus affects every person He touches in a very personal way.

The Bible is filled with examples of Jesus’ encounters with many different sick people during his ministry.  Jesus responded to those who were physically ill, demonic, and those who sinned against moral and legal laws.  When a blind man begged Jesus to restore his sight, Jesus put mud on his eyes and healed them.  He both physically and spiritually touched the man.  God used physical healing to show people His power and authority, and then He healed them spiritually and often told them to “Go and sin no more!”

Jesus wasn’t afraid to touch the leper and let the power of healing flow forth from himself to the leper.  Jesus touched the leper and made him whole.  Jesus raised his friend Lazarus from the dead even though he had been dead for several days.  This was a powerful witness of Christ’s authority and declaration that He was the Son of God.  Imagine what Mary and Martha, all of the other family and friends who were there, and the townspeople who heard about the miracle must have thought.  If they had any doubts, I would think this miracle would have squelched them and made them believers.

Jesus also touches people today.  Although Jesus is not here with us physically, He is always with us in spirit.  His message touches many people and transforms lives.  The presence of the Holy Spirit within us touches us at the deepest level and changes our hearts and minds.  Even though we are all sinners, the blood of Jesus covers us and removes all of our sins from us so that we are pure, holy, clean, and righteous before God the Father.  Jesus touches us every day with His love, His compassion, His forgiveness, His healing, and His grace.  Every person who comes to know and believe Jesus will be deeply and forever touched by Him!

APPLICATIONS

1. Think of some other instances in the Bible where Jesus healed people.  Why do you think Jesus performed so many miracles of healing people?
2. All of us have physical, mental, psychological, and spiritual illnesses that we would like to have removed.  Think about some of your illnesses, write them down, then take time to pray and ask God to touch you and heal you from them.
3. Can you think of some illness that God has healed you from, in the past?  If so, and if you feel comfortable doing so, please share this experience with someone else.
4. Do you believe that Jesus still heals people today, even though He is no longer present on the earth?
5. Think of one very personal way that Jesus has touched you and changed you.  Please share this with someone else at an appropriate time when it may greatly impact that person’s life to hear your personal witness.

If you want to learn more about what it means to be a Christian or to become a Christian, click this link: https://woww.newlifebehavior.org/what-it-means-to-follow-jesus-how-to-become-a-christian/