05/27/2021 Touched By Love

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

We like to touch things don’t we? And often we hear, “Don’t touch that. It will break.” Or, “Put that down. Your hands are dirty.”

Yes, some things are meant to be looked at and not touched. Other things are very touchable – give comfort and help us learn.

Some of you may have a favorite blanket that you like to touch as you go to sleep. Perhaps you have a teddy bear that feels soft and cuddly. The beloved bear makes you feel safe and warm.

You learn more about the world around you by touching such things as stones, shells, feathers, leaves, and the bark of trees. You may want to touch and handle these items I’ve brought along today.

A story in the Bible teaches us about touch and faith. A woman, who had been ill for twelve years, heard about Jesus, came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. She said, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be made well” (5:28).

This woman had great faith. She believed that if she could just touch Jesus’ clothes she would be healed of her illness.

Even though Jesus was in a large crowd he felt the woman touch his clothes and he immediately felt the power go forth from him. He said, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be cured of your disease” (5:34).

One of the lessons of this story is that Jesus did not say, “Don’t touch.” He accepted the woman and showed kindness to her. She was healed because of her great faith. Jesus accepts each one of us and, although we can’t physically touch him, we can be touched, comforted, and healed by his love.

By Lois Parker Edstrom, slightly adapted