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
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