The Touch Admiration or animosity may be felt toward someone, and strong feelings and thoughts may be considered, but their affect is made when there is an actual physical touch. When hands shake, there is a mutual expression of agreement and friendship. When fists fly and land on another, a disagreement has escalated to inflicting physical harm. Care and ministry begin their effect when their touch is administered. Both help and harm have their greatest impact in the application of the touch, and as this physical contact is so powerfully effective, it is important to consider how it may be maximized for its help and minimized for its harm. When Jesus came to earth as a man, there was indeed the greatest plan for maximizing help in a touch. He was Himself touched with our infirmities and, with empathy, reached out to affect all He encountered with a healing touch. Even those who were the “untouchables” that the law prohibited Him from being around, He went beyond just caring for them emotionally. It was His physical touch that transferred healing virtue and set them free. He also minimized the potential for harm by never touching the things that would have displeased the Father. The evil of the world never affected Him with its touch. Now, in the life He’s raised us to with Him, we’ve also been given power in our touch to heal, deliver, and set free. We are enabled to walk free from the evil touch of the world that would bring harm and destruction. Our touch now has the potential of His to administer the care and provision of heaven in holiness and purity. Notes Touch Harm/Good Care for/Destroy Administer/Receive Stimulate/Repulse Provide/Steal Reject/Partake Heal/Infect Withhold/Initiate Touching – identifying/partnering with 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (NLT) 14 Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 17 Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. 18 And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.” Evil cannot touch God’s children – cannot affect them until touched by them. 1 John 5:18 (NLT) 18 We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. Powerful touch Matthew 14:36 (NLT) 36 They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed. The touch – key to healing Mark 3:10 (NLT) 10 He had healed many people that day, so all the sick people eagerly pushed forward to touch him. Jesus’ will was backed up with a touch of the untouchable Matthew 8:2-3 (NLT) 2 Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” 3 Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. The touch of Jesus’ garment drew healing virtue Luke 8:43-48 (NLT) 43 A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. 44 Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped. 45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.” 47 When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed. 48 “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” Proactive touching – sign of belief Mark 16:17-18 (NLT) 17 These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. 18 They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.” Overview: It’s in the touch that emotions and sentiments are communicated and made to be effective. Jesus came to be the touch of heaven and bring freedom from the world’s evil touch. From His touch we receive healing virtue and the Father’s care for every area of life. This touch of resurrection life is made through Christ’s body as it reaches out to be His hands. As Jesus has risen to newness of life, so we are now in Him, enabled to provide healing and provision from heaven in our touch. Prayer: Father, I present my body now to share the touch of heaven that has brought healing and deliverance to my heart and life. Be glorified through me as Your power and glory touch those I encounter with Your loving touch. Declarations: As I have been touched with the life of heaven I now identify with all that Christ is in healing life and heaven’s treasures. As Christ’s touch is my pursuit and focus, I am kept from the touch of the world that would corrupt and destroy. I now live to share that same touch that has cared for and ministered life to me. I present my body as the hand of Jesus extended with healing and provision to those I encounter.