"Let Me Touch Jesus"

Illustration: freebibleimages

I’d love to know if Matthew 9:20-38 describes one day or more. It is one of the most amazing passages about Jesus’ healing ministry.

First, a woman comes and touches Jesus’ garment. She believes that if she can only reach His clothing, she’ll be healed. And she was! Jesus turns around and speaks to her. She’s embarrassed and afraid, but Jesus says, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. (verses 20-22)

That’s the way it is. We trust Jesus, and our faith is the means of healing—not of a sickness necessarily, but of our sins. I love that Jesus called this lady daughter. I believe she must have been much older in years than Jesus—humanly speaking—but He called her daughter because of her faith. She had put her faith in God and had been adopted by the Eternal One.

Then, Jesus goes to Jairus’ home, where his little girl was dead. Jesus tells the people she was only asleep, and the people mocked Him. He put them out of the room. Only her parents, Peter, James and John were allowed to see Jesus take her hand and raise her to life.

Jesus leaves, and two blind men follow him crying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us. When He arrived at a house, they presented themselves to Him and Jesus asked them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened. (27-30a) Can you imagine the scene? What made the difference between their blindness and seeing? Their faith and Jesus’ healing touch.

As the blind men went out, someone brought Jesus a person who couldn’t speak. The Bible says he was possessed by a devil (demon). Jesus simply cast out the demon, and the man began speaking.

Then, Jesus went to all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. (34-36a)

Reaching out to Jesus.

• The sick lady did.
• Jairus did.
• The two blind men did.
• The mute person’s friend did.

Jesus healed them as well as whole cities and villages full of sick people.

He had compassion on them, healed them, helped them, cast out their demons, and honored their faith.

There’s a Christian song from the beginning of the 1900’s that goes, “Let me touch Him; let me touch Jesus.”* I believe everyone needs to have that heart cry.

Here are some practical ways we can reach out to Jesus:

• Communicate with Him in prayer. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God (Philippians 4:6).
• Read His Word (the Bible). Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed (John 8:31).
• Get to know Him. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls (Matthew 11:29).
• Trust Him. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17). 

Not only did the people reach out to Jesus, Jesus reached out to them.

• He immediately spoke to the lady who had touched His garment.
• He raised Jairus’ daughter by speaking to her and taking her hand.
• He touched the blind men’s eyes.
• He cast the demon out of the man who couldn’t speak.
• He preached the gospel in every city and village.
• He healed all sickness and disease.

Jesus reaches out in love today: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).

Have you been to Jesus?

Are you reaching out to Him today?

He’s reaching out to you.

  

* “Let Me Touch Him” is by V. B. Ellis.