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Feb 21, 2023 18:30pm

Just a Touch

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Growing up, I remember my dad having a lamp that would turn on and get brighter, and eventually turn off with every touch of the hand. Just the touch of your fingertip could bring the lamp to life.

When iPhones first came out, the fact that you could just touch the screen and things would happen and you never even had to push a button… that was mind blowing. Just the touch of your fingertip could bring the phone to life.

I was moving the lasagna around on my plate, not able to eat much of it when the phone rang. We’d been in the hospital with my dad for 10 days and we knew the end of his life was coming. They said he’s gone now, and I reached out for my husband’s hand. Just the simple touch of his fingers around mine reminded me of his love and support for me.

Just a touch.

Jesus had been healing people day and night. He crossed the Sea of Galilee to go and heal one man, casting the demons from him. He then gets back in the boat and goes back across the sea.

As they came ashore, a man approached them. Jarius was a ruler in the synagogue, a small church in the area. Immediately when he saw Jesus, he fell at His feet.

“And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.” (Mark 5:23)

He begged Jesus to just come touch his daughter, for he believed in the power that was in the hands of Jesus.

The scripture says that Jesus went with him. Many people began to follow them, hoping to see yet another miracle. But in the crowds was a desperate, daring woman.

“And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.” (Mark 5:25-28)

Just the touch.

A touch that was forbidden. She was an unclean woman and, by law, was not to be touched by any man, lest he would be made unclean as well. For 12 years she had not felt the touch of any person. The loneliness, the despair in her heart, the desperation in her need; she risked everything for that one touch from the Master.

What faith she must have had in Jesus to believe that even touching the garment He was wearing would help her.

“And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.” (Mark 5:29-34)

Just one touch and she was made whole. Just one touch from Jesus and her life was restored!

All the while, the man whose daughter was dying, was waiting. He knew they could not delay any longer. But just then, a man came from the Jarius’ house and said, “we don’t need Jesus, it’s too late, your daughter is dead.”

“As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.” (Mark 5:36-43)

Just the touch of His fingertip could bring forth life. And while there was most certainly power in the hands of Jesus, His words weren’t “let me put my healing hand on her” it was instead, “only believe”.

Faith in Jesus.

Faith that He could heal.

Do you need a touch from the Master’s hand today? Our need for healing is deep, and only God offers the hand that can truly heal. It is through faith in Jesus that life springs forth.

Be not afraid, only believe.