“People were also bringing babies to
Jesus to have Him touch them.”
-Luke 18:15
When writer Elisabeth Elliot visited
Dohnavur Fellowship in South India to do research for a book on the life of Amy
Carmichael, she met Pungaja, a remarkable woman working with the mentally
incompetent. Pungaja herself was handicapped by the loss of one eye.
When asked how she had become involve
in such a work, Pungaja explained that one day, tremendously burdened by life,
she went to Amy Carmichael who was affectionately called Amma by nationals of
India. “When she hugged me,” she said, “All of my burdens went away!” The
Indian men and women who followed Amy Carmichael’s footsteps in serving others
have been witnessed to her life.
Have you ever considered the impact
of a loving touch? There were times when Jesus healed sickness with a command.
But there were other occasions when He reached out and touched someone. He
touched the leper who went through life crying, “Unclean, unclean!” He touched
the blind man by the gate of Jericho and He still touches those who are
neglected by society today.
People respond to the loving touch. A
family counselor says that most unwanted teenage pregnancies could be prevented
if a father only hugged his teenage daughter everyday.
“Is any sick among you?” wrote James
to the infant church almost 2000 years ago, “Let him call for the elders of the
Church; and let them pray over him, anointing him in the name of the Lord”
(James 5:14). There is healing in the touch of love and faith.
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