Debra F. Bruce relates an...
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Debra F. Bruce relates an incident that occurred when she took twenty children from her church to a nursing home. Since they were part of a clown ministry program, the children were dressed in bright colors and sang some songs for the residents of the home.
After their program was finished, the children walked around and greeted the older folks. One elderly woman reached out and grabbed the hand of Mrs. Bruce's seven-year-old son. As she did this, the woman said, "May I touch your hand, son?" The young boy was somewhat startled, but then he sat down beside the wheelchair of the elderly woman and let her touch the smooth skin of his hand.
Healing was taking place as this incident occurred. While it may not have been physical healing, it was mental and emotional healing. The familiar words - "Reach out and touch someone" - were being transformed into action and both persons were benefiting from the experience.
As Jesus healed persons in his lifetime, he touched them to help bring about the transformation desired. He taught his disciples to do this as well. In the chapter preceding today's text, we have the story of Peter taking the man by the arm and helping him to walk again. This he did "in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth."
As disciples of the Master today, we can use the sense of touch to bring about healing. As such, we also do it "in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth."
After their program was finished, the children walked around and greeted the older folks. One elderly woman reached out and grabbed the hand of Mrs. Bruce's seven-year-old son. As she did this, the woman said, "May I touch your hand, son?" The young boy was somewhat startled, but then he sat down beside the wheelchair of the elderly woman and let her touch the smooth skin of his hand.
Healing was taking place as this incident occurred. While it may not have been physical healing, it was mental and emotional healing. The familiar words - "Reach out and touch someone" - were being transformed into action and both persons were benefiting from the experience.
As Jesus healed persons in his lifetime, he touched them to help bring about the transformation desired. He taught his disciples to do this as well. In the chapter preceding today's text, we have the story of Peter taking the man by the arm and helping him to walk again. This he did "in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth."
As disciples of the Master today, we can use the sense of touch to bring about healing. As such, we also do it "in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth."
