The Power of Touch
A continuation on using our five senses to glorify God
In the Gospels, we see the wonderful healing power of Jesus’ touch. Just a few examples show us that His touch healed a leper, a man born blind, and Peter’s mother-in-law’s fever. We even see “parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them.” (Mark 10:13 NLT). He even touched a coffin, and a dead man came to life.
A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow's only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. "Don't cry!" he said. Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. "Young man," he said, "I tell you, get up." Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother. (Luke 7:12-15 NLT)
Jesus showed us that there is power in touch. This truth also transcends our Christian community. In an article in Psychology Today magazine, the author says that “…warm touch stimulates the release of the "cuddle hormone," oxytocin, which enhances a sense of trust and attachment.” He further states, “…there are times—during intense grief or fear, but also in ecstatic moments of joy or love—when only the language of touch can fully express what we feel.” God made us with the need for physical contact with other humans, that is why touch is so important.
We both need and desire human touch. It is a basic way of communicating. This was evident during the COVID pandemic. One of the things that people missed most, especially those who were quarantined, was the touch of loved ones. Touch is a powerful thing! Jesus used it to change people’s lives. We can use it to show others compassion, comfort, and concern. A simple holding of one’s hand (as in the video above), a touch on the shoulder, or a hug can show someone how much we care about them.
We do not have the healing power that Jesus did, but there is power in our touch. Yet, we are often afraid to touch. We think that it might be taken the wrong way - as a sexual or unwanted gesture. Lore Ferguson Wilbert, in a Christianity Today article, says, “it becomes a challenge to discern, in individual cases, whether touch is a welcome gesture or a violation of personal space.” This means that we need to approach touching others with some caution. We do not want any physical contact to be construed the wrong way.
So, how can we approach giving someone a “holy hug” or a loving touch? Here are seven suggestions.
Observe how the person interacts with others. Do you see them giving and receiving hugs? Some people are natural “huggers,” and some shy away from physical touch (even though they need it).
If you do not know the person well or have not hugged them before, ask, “Can I give you a hug?”
In situations involving grief or sadness, softly patting or holding the person’s hand is almost always acceptable.
Do not allow the hug or touch to linger. Short physical contact is best unless you really know the person.
If you sense the person is uncomfortable with your touch, kindly and briefly apologize.
Make sure the setting is safe. Avoid physical touch (especially with the opposite sex) in private or isolated places.
Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. God knows the situation, and God knows what is happening in the other person's life.
Jesus used the power of touch to heal people physically, but I believe He also used touch as an object lesson for us. One reason God gave us a sense of touch is to use it to bless others. Through the simple act of touch we can communicate that we value the person, that they are important. We can use the power of touch to minister to others, to show them our care and concern.