From My Archives! The Remarkable Hand! May 6, 2021

 

Quotation

 

Christianity is the only religion where God Himself became fully human, became both God and man, then paid the penalty for our sins on the cross at Calvary, providing us a way to spend eternity with Him in Heaven. During his Ministry of Touch on earth, Jesus showed us the importance of human touch.

 

Barry Denzil Haney

 

Verse

 

And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:

 

Mark 9:43

 

 

Reflection

 

Researchers have concluded our hands through the magic of touch are our “primary language of compassion, and a primary means for spreading compassion.” (Keltner) Many studies in recent years have documented that touch provides emotional and physical health benefits. Researchers have discovered touch is important in weight gain in preterm babies. Studies by Darlene Francis and Michael Meaney found rats whose mothers licked and groomed them grow up to be calmer, are better able to handle stress, and have a stronger immune system. (Keltner).

 

In his article, “Hands On Research: The Science of Touch”, Dacher Keltner shares research by Jim Coan and Richard Davidson:

 

In a study by Jim Coan and Richard Davidson, participants laying in an fMRI brain scanner, anticipating a painful blast of white noise, showed heightened brain activity in regions associated with threat and stress. But participants whose romantic partner stroked their arm while they waited didn’t show this reaction at all. Touch had turned off the threat switch.¹

 

God wired us for touch. Medical studies have shown touch boosts our immune systems, improves our psychological states, and saves lives. But there can also be bad touch that is socially defined. When the line is crossed, abusive behavior can cause severe psychological damage.

 

The Creation of Adam is a famous fresco painted by the artist Michelangelo, which forms part of the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling. In the fresco God’s right arm is outstretched to impart the spark of life from his own finger to that of Adam.

 

In Genesis 1:26, the triune God uses His hands to create man and woman in his image:

 

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

 

God created our bodies for touch. As early as sixteen weeks after conception, the fetus uses his hands to explore his dark world within the mother’s womb. The Gospels have many examples of Jesus’ ministry of touch. He touched those suffering and struggling from both physical and emotional illnesses.

 

            Because God is omniscient, he knows all about our sins and hurts. Despite this, he still loves us and is willing to reach out and touch us. Thank you Jesus!

 

Illustration

 

On February 26, 1844, occurred one of the major disasters in the history of our navy. The Princeton, the most powerful warship of that day, commanded by Captain Stockton, was taking members of Congress and government officials down the Potomac.

 

On board were the president of the United States, and the secretaries of state and navy. For the entertainment of the guests, the great gun on the Princeton called the Peacemaker, was fired. At the second discharge the gun burst, killing the secretary of state, the secretary of the navy, and a number of others.

 

Just before the gun was fired, Senator Thomas Benton of Missouri was standing near it, when a friend laid a hand on his shoulder. Benton turned away to speak with him, when, much to his annoyance, the secretary of the navy, Gilmore, elbowed his way into his place. At that moment the gun was fired and Gilmore was killed.

 

That singular providence had a great impression upon Benton. He was a man of bitter feuds and quarrels, and recently had had a fierce quarrel with Daniel Webster. But after his escape from death on the Princeton, Benton sought reconciliation with Webster. He said to him.

 

“It seemed to me, Mr. Webster, as if that touch on my shoulder was the hand of the Almighty stretched down there, drawing me away from what otherwise would have been instantaneous death. That one circumstance has changed the whole current of my thought and life. I feel that I am a different man; and I want, in the first place, to be at peace with all those with whom I have been so sharply at variance.”²

—C. E. Macartney

 

 

Prayer

 

Our Heavenly Father,

 

Thank You for creating us in Your image! You

showed us the importance of human touch when

You used Your hands to create us. Jesus used his

Ministry of Touch on earth, to heal those suffering

from physical and emotional pain.

 

Help us to follow Your example and treat others

with respect and kindness. Because we are wired for

touch, help us use the power of human touch to

comfort those who are suffering and struggling!

 

In the precious name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior,

 

Amen!

 

Worship

 

He Touched Me by the Gaither Vocal Band

God Bless You,

Barry