When the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made well. Matthew 14:35-36 NKJV
Wherever Jesus went, people reached out to touch Him. The woman with the issue of blood touched the hem of his garment and was healed. Crowds gathered around Him, hoping to touch Him and be healed. Jesus also reached out to touch people. He put mud on a blind man's eyes and made him see, blessed the children, touched Peter's mother-in-law and made her well, and came to Jairus' daughter's bedside and raised her from the dead.
You may not be able to cure blindness or leprosy, or raise someone from the dead. But your touch still heals. You give others a great gift when you reach out to touch them. Studies have demonstrated that physical touch is essential to human growth and well-being. It has been shown that babies in hospitals who are held and cuddled grow faster and are better adjusted than babies who are not held.
Reach out to those around you. When your spouse is weary, discouraged by some situation at the office, make an effort to reach out with quiet undemanding affection. A backrub or shoulder massage speaks gently when words might only add to their burdens. Reach out to guests who come to church and welcome them with a smile and a handshake. If you and your best friend have it out, be the first to reach out and apologize.
Be willing to reach out to others when you are in need. You need to create a circle of giving, where love is received and passed on from person to person, heart to heart. Don't stay behind self-protective walls of caution, but break down walls between people with compassion. The sympathetic touch and empathetic heart mirror the heart of Jesus, who always had time to give to those in need. When you reach out and touch someone, think of it as Christ's hands touching you - Immanuel, "God is with us."
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