“[They] begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well” (Matt. 14:36, NKJV, emphasis mine).
“And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all” (Luke 6:19, NKJV, emphasis mine).
Jesus was so charged with the power of God that He didn’t even need to put His attention specifically on a person for healing to flow. With just one touch from someone behind Him, power transfer happened. Even when He wasn’t seeking someone out to heal them, countless individuals received desperately needed restoration just by reaching out for a split second of physical contact with Him. The crowds picked up on this, and scrambled to get close enough to benefit.
The power flowing through these contacts parallels that of an electric circuit. I’m sure you’ve seen a light bulb come alive when someone completed the circuit by touching a wire to a battery. Of course, this dynamic is similarly at work in the many apparatuses that make our lives more comfortable. When a circuit is complete, electricity can flow to them and provide power. In the same way, physical touch completes a circuit that allows spiritual power to flow.
God knew He made the world this way. For this reason, He warned Adam not to even touch the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:3). Touch is an incredibly effective conductor, both for evil and for good. (Although malignant forces can also be transmitted by touch, God’s power is overwhelmingly superior).
I once unwittingly completed an electric circuit with my body by touching a cheaply made extension cord in the wrong place. The force that went through me was so overwhelming that I was gasping for air afterwards, crying, and aware that I might easily have been dead. As a result, I am extremely careful now when it comes to electrical cords and outlets.
This principle also carries over into the spiritual realm. Just as we treat electricity with great respect and care, we want to do the same with the power of God. Understanding this, Paul cautioned Timothy not to be hasty with the laying on of hands. This is because the apostle understood just how much power can be released in this way.
By the same token, I am by no means going to stop using electricity out of fear that I might be electrocuted. Neither am I going to shy away from seeking to be a conduit of the power of God. My brothers and sisters, guided by His wisdom and humility, let’s hunger for His glory to be channeled through our lives!
Daddy God passionately desires for us to understand how ready He is to flow in life-changing ways through our touch. When we read about the spiritual gift that Timothy received through the laying on of Paul’s hands, let’s allow that to light a fire in our spirit! (2 Tim. 1:6). When we absorb the truth from the book of Acts that the Spirit can be given to others by the laying on of hands, let’s let that cause us to hunger to see it happen in our lives! (Acts 8:18).
Let’s allow Jesus’ example to stir us up too today! Think about it. Living as a man, He was filled unceasingly by the Holy Spirit. As a result, even his clothes were permeated with ever-accessible power. His very presence emanated healing. I want to live like that too!
Father, fill us to overflowing with Your Holy Spirit! Use our touch to bring life to those around us! Let us so overflow with Your nearness that even our physical proximity transmits the power of Your presence! Through our hands and through our hearts, let Your Kingdom come!!
***********************************************
Have you ever felt, or been aware of, the power of God flowing through a physical touch?
Feeding On Jesus 
Jennifer, Your insights here are fascinating! I have heard many preachers make an inference that since the word “touch” appears in Genesis 3:3, but not in Genesis 2:15-17 before Eve was made, that Eve was in error when she said it, essentially “putting words in God’s mouth”. Some have said that she didn’t get the message right from Adam. But I think you have this exactly right. I think what those preachers miss, when they are striving for a sermon, is that Eve had her own perfect relationship with God and in her spirit knew full well she and Adam were supposed to keep their hands off. Thanks for seeing the truth and telling it to us!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you so much, Jon. Your words brought a joyful smile to me. Because, as I was preparing to put this post up, I was remembering hearing those very same arguments about the story made by others, and I hesitated for a moment before putting out my own. So I am truly blessed by your encouragement! Thank you for taking the time to share those thoughts, I truly appreciate it. God is so good! 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you sincerely for this post. Your expression and understanding of the Fire and dynamics of the Holy Spirit in and through Jesus Christ while he was ministering as a human being and what it should mean to those who follow Him in today’s world is an encouragement to me. Thank you for posting it so succinctly. I would love to express it here but I’ll leave it to ‘others’. Yes I have been aware of, dramatically so, of the touch and the power of God the Holy Spirit to me. Also I knew the power of the Holy Spirit flowing to another through me shortly before she
(a very dear friend) went Home to Him. Blessings. and Peace!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, that must have been so, so special and sacred, to be able to minister to your friend in her last hours. Something unforgettable. Thank you for sharing, my sister ❤
LikeLike
Jennifer, thanks for sharing your stirring witness about completing the circuit. For me, I felt connected and in awe of God when I held each of my newly born daughters.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Wow, yes. That is a perfect example of this truth, Richard. SUCH a sacred moment, when so much of heaven is flowing through human touch, welcoming little ones into this world!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jennifer, I cannot remember, however, I am much more conscious of touch now. I know in my heart the power is readily available and may indeed have experienced it but I just don’t remember. Thank you for this powerful reminder.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You are most welcome, my brother! I’m so glad it was a blessing to you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, as if it were yesterday. At one point in my 2012 ordination ceremony, our bishop put his hands on my head and prayed silently. Now, Bill Medley is not a physically big guy, but my head felt like it was getting squeezed! At that moment, the strength was not coming from the bishop’s hands, but from above. — Mike
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! That is so incredibly neat and special! Truly, thank you for sharing it, Mike 🙂
LikeLike
Like the analogy about getting shocked by the extension cord — not being scared to use electricity after that, but respecting it and using it properly. In the same way we should not insulate ourselves so much that we can’t transmit the power of the Spirit that God gives us to touch the lives of others.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m so glad that analogy was something you enjoyed! And also that you took the time to share your thoughts here. I value that very much! 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen! Well said!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Warren! 😀 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person