Faith's Touch

Faith that makes contact

Psalm 60:11 tells us that the help of man is worthless, for only God can aid you against the enemy. Your enemy may be the devil (tormenting your mind), or it may be poverty, sickness or disease. Whatever enemy you may confront, your only source of effective aid and assistance is God. Seeking help from man, in the long term, will add no value to your life - putting your trust in man is worthless!

Turn with me to Luke 8 and let’s read from verse 40...

Jesus went back across the Sea of Galilee where another crowd was waiting for Him. Among the multitude was a ruler of the synagogue who was especially anxious to see Jesus because he had a twelve year old daughter who was dying. He urgently begged Jesus to go with him right away, but the vast crowds were pressing in from every direction hindering His progress.

In the throng was a timid, yet very desperate woman who had been afflicted with a flow of blood for twelve years. In this account, Luke the physician admits that she had spent all her life-savings on physicians without getting any real help or results. When Mark wrote about this incident he added the unprofessional touch that this woman actually got worse!

Notice something about this gentle and timorous woman. She had discerned and sensed that there was power in Jesus to heal her. She knew without doubt that if He was to touch her, or her to touch Him, she would be healed. Although she was shy, she somehow realised that the Lord’s touch was vitally important. Unlike the centurion, who said, “Lord, just say the word and my servant will be healed” [Matthew 8:8] she wanted a touch.

Being driven by this desire to simply touch Him, the woman fought her way through the crowd to where Jesus was. For some reason she was unable to make full bodily contact with Him. Maybe she was too apprehensive or maybe there were too many other bodies around. Whatever the cause, she was able to stoop down and touch the border of His garment. That is, the hem or fringe that formed the lower border of the Lord’s robe. And immediately, she felt the blood dry-up and stop flowing, and she knew that she was completely healed.

Not wanting to draw attention to herself, she tried to steal away quietly but her escape was blocked by a direct question from Jesus, “Who touched Me?” He asked. Peter and the other disciples obviously thought this was an absurd question as all kinds of people were shoving, pushing and touching Him! But Jesus recognised a touch that was different - He knew that faith had touched Him! Every time true faith touches the Lord He knows it! And often it’s the same with you and I, every time love touches us we know it. Someone once said, “The flesh crowds, but faith touches.”

How did Jesus know that faith had touched Him? Because He sensed an outflow of power - the divine substance that healed the woman. He perceived that power had gone forth from Him! Not, of course, that Jesus wasn’t any less powerful than He had been before, but simply that it cost Him something to heal this woman. There was expenditure! Divine power was released.

Fearful and trembling the woman came before Jesus and gave an apologetic explanation of why she had touched Him. And also a grateful testimony of what had happened to her. Notice, a public confession was rewarded with a public commendation of her faith by Jesus Himself. And as an extra bonus, a public pronouncement of His peace upon her.

No one has ever touched Jesus by faith without Him knowing it, and responding. When ever your faith touches the Lord something divine takes place [something supernatural] resulting in unbelievable blessings. And no one ever confesses Him openly without being strengthened and assured openly.

The testimony of this woman must have spread quickly and encouraged others to seek a similar touch from the Lord. Matthew 14:35,36 says, “And when the men of that place recognised Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to Him and they begged Him to let the sick touch the edge of His cloak, and all who touched Him were healed.”

The Bible is full of accounts of people who have received great reward because they made contact with Christ. Some touched Him and released their faith (faith’s touch), and others were touched by Him and their faith was activated (Christ’s touch).

Mark 3:10 “For He had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch Him.” [Faith’s Touch]

Luke 6:19 “And the people all tried to touch Him, because power was coming from Him and healing them all.” [Faith’s Touch]

Matthew 8:3 “Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing’, He said, ‘Be clean!’ Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.” [Christ’s Touch]

Matthew 8:15 “Jesus touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on Him” [Christ’s Touch]. Many of you may be in need of a cool and refreshing touch from the Lord, so that you can serve Him better.

Matthew 9:29,30 Then He touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you,” and their sight was restored. [Christ’s Touch]

Mark 7:33-35 “After He took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put His fingers into the man’s ears. Then He spat and touched the man’s tongue. At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.” [Christ’s Touch]

Luke 22:51 “But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And He touched the man’s ear and healed Him. [Christ’s Touch]

And Jesus can touch you just to reassure you! Matthew 17:7, But Jesus came up and touched them, “Get up”, He said, “Don’t be afraid!”

Whatever you may be struggling with, a touch from Jesus will satisfy that need. All you need to do is make contact with Him! You may have to find a way through your crowded or confused circumstances, or push aside forceful opposition, but Jesus is always there for you. Yes, the positional truth is, you are already “joined” to Him and seated with Him at the right hand of God. But on this earth, right now, there is violent opposition to you making any contact with Christ. Touching Christ changes things! Because His touch releases divine power!

Don’t let confusion or negative circumstances rob you of a blessing. Make an effort to press through and touch Him right now! And then let Him touch you also! The Lord is moved with compassion - He want’s to touch you - to make contact.

Matthew 20:34, “So Jesus had compassion and touched them,... and they followed Him.”

Chris Demetriou, 09/10/2005