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The Power of Touch

And Jesus , moved with compassion, put forth His hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.  Mark 1:41

 

As was the custom of the day, the man afflicted with leprosy had called out "Unclean! Unclean!" to warn people of his presence so they could avoid him. Who knows how long it had been since he had experienced a human touch--a warm embrace, an encouraging pat on the back, a friendly handshake? Had it been months, or even years?

Jesus knew the man needed relief from this disease, but before Jesus dealt with his skin, He healed the man's emotional pain. Jesus reached out and touched him. Can you imagine how that leper felt when someone actually touched him? Then Jesus freed him from his leprosy.

Jesus was teaching us by example that often the best way to help the oppressed, the sick, and the poor is to touch them with our compassion. Jesus had compassion on people; we should have compassion too.

Today, whom will you touch--literally as well as figuratively--in the name of Christ?

From, HOPE for Each Day: Morning & Evening Devotions, by Billy Graham.