He touched her hand
[Jesus] touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him. Matthew 8:15 (NIV)
If I asked for a show of hands of people who love to wait, I do not think I would see one hand go up. The more conveniences we have, the more we have become impatient. What used to be one long commercial has now become many of a short duration; sometimes repeated. Our average attention span is now about 8.25 seconds. It is no wonder we hate to wait. When we are sick, we want instant relief. We may resign ourselves to the fact it will be a while before relief comes, but we still are impatient. What a relief it must have been for the mother-in-law of Peter to have Jesus’ personal touch. She felt so good that she could not wait to get back to the things she found pleasure in, such as taking care of her family.
There are times we must wait for things we pray for, and it feels as if our voice goes unheard. It appears at first that this was the meaning of the cry Jesus made on the cross referring to Psalm 22:1, when Jesus asks his Father why he is so far from answering his cries of anguish. The psalm told of the suffering and purpose behind the cross: ‘Our children will also serve him. Future generations will hear about the wonders of the Lord. His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born. They will hear about everything he has done.’ (vv. 30-31 NLT). We are those who were not yet born, and we have been blessed with the message and hope of salvation. Jesus knew his Father heard him. Jesus knew the purpose behind his suffering. Jesus was willing to suffer for us. His cry was a reminder to us of his love for us despite our rejection of him. He came to rescue his children and this he has done.
With the touch of Jesus, we are not only physically healed but spiritually healed. We are given a new life. Not just any life, but the life of Jesus. He personally took us by the hand, and entered our existence, we are filled with his presence in our life. With his touch, we can rise in this new life and serve Jesus. What has he called you to do? How may we serve Jesus?
I Am Touched
I am touched by your presence,
An Awakening from sleep,
Made possible by Your love,
That is so pure and so deep.
Once touched life is created,
Unnoticed, yet growing still.
Change becomes inevitable, as
Hearts beat to the rhythm of your will.
Eternity came down to men, who
Desired our hearts, and our love.
I am touched by Your presence,
And alive in Your love.
Prayer
We thank you God for your personal touch, for your willingness to draw near to us and become one with us. In you we have a new life, in you we have purpose. May we answer your call, and may we follow your lead. As you reach out to us, may we reach out to others with the message of your love and salvation. In Jesus’s name, Amen
Study by Anne Gillam
About the writer:
Anne Gillam is a retired Pastor in Grace Communion International, Klamath Falls, Oregon, USA.
Local congregation:
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