When God Touches
And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. Luke 8:46
HERE is a woman who has been sick with twelve years of bleeding. She is clearly unclean and untouchable. She would be the first to be called a person of faith. Appatantly Jesus was contaminated by this touch, but the woman was healed; dead girl was given life, stood up, and got something to eat. Do you see? Jesus’ touch and his invitation to us to touch him back are essential parts of the Good News. When Jesus touched someone or was purposefully touched by someone, there was a lot happening. He was showing his solidarity with outcasts. He was identifying with them. If Jesus was simply a good teacher, then the outcasts would have felt temporary comfort but no real change in status.
But with every intentional touch there is a transaction being made. “Power” goes out from Jesus to the person who was touched. You will see that this power is a loaded term that includes • holiness conferred (consecration) • forgiveness of sins • cleansing and purification • healing • identification with Jesus’ status. Meanwhile, the unclean person gave something to Jesus, the scapegoat. The unclean person gives its • sins • shameful acts • victimization and its contamination disease. But This is the gospel: God touches us.
Faith is your response to Jesus. He makes the first move, then you do something. When he moved towards the leper, the man said, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean (Luke 5:12). Another man with leprosy threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him (Luke 17:16). This woman touched him, and in that touch she acknowledged that Jesus was the One sent from the Father. He was, in fact, “the LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious” (Exodus 34:6)
If you want God’s touch then Imitate her actions, hear the questions Jesus asked, and confess publicly with her why you touched him. And don’t worry about making him unclean. He is the Holy One, and holiness triumphs over uncleanness.
Your brother in Christ,
Apostle Ashok Martin