Tag: touch Jesus
Resurrection world view!
Scripture reading for April 4: Luke 24
“As they were talking about these things, Jesus Himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. And He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts: See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Touch Me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet. And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling, He said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave Him a piece of boiled fish, and He took it and ate it before them.” Luke 24:36-43
After seeing Jesus suffer and die on the cross, though from a distance, these disciples were still locked into their natural world view. Jesus had told them many times about His resurrection on the third day, but His death was too real. Now His grave was empty and these men were in hiding discussing what two of them experienced as the had walked the Emmaus road. As they talked, Jesus appeared before them, greeting them with ‘shalom!’ They were frightened and thought they saw a spirit. Jesus resolved their fears by inviting them to touch His hands and feet. To further dispel their doubts, Jesus asked for food and ate the fish that they gave Him.
When we believe in Jesus, our inner life is totally changed! We are given a new heart and the Holy Spirit as our down payment of eternal life. But we must continue to renew our minds and follow Jesus’ invitation to follow Him and know Him and learn a new world view that includes resurrection and eternal life. Jesus understands our human weaknesses and doubts and patiently works with us as we commit to follow. He wants to sit at table with us and allow us to know the reality of resurrection life. These disciples who began with fright, except for John, ended their earthly journeys by becoming martyrs rather than deny Christ and His resurrection.
As you read about Jesus’ resurrection and these eye-witnesses of that truth, are these accounts of the doubts and fears encouraging for you? How has Jesus revealed Himself to you personally to help you in your faith? How has understanding of resurrection life helped you to share your faith?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the truth of the resurrection of Jesus. I want to know Him and the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His suffering, being conformed to His death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3;10-11) You alone are the Resurrection and Eternal Life! Amen.
Faith and touch work together
Scripture reading for February 15th: Mark 6, Psalm 34, Proverbs 3
Key Scriptures: Mark 6:53-56 “When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized Him and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard He was. And wherever He came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored Him that they might touch even the fringe of His garment. And as many as touched it were made well.”
As Jesus’ reputation spread among the people, crowds gathered wherever He went. They came to find mercy, healing and wholeness. They were brought by friends in faith. They reached out to touch Jesus by faith and implored His mercy. Those who touched even His garment were healed! All of them!
Faith’s confession: I believe that I can touch Jesus’ heart now by asking in faith for His healing mercy. I ask with expectancy, trusting in His willingness and power to heal me. (Action Step: Ask if you can help a sick or hurting friend to take their burden to Jesus.)
Psalm 34:17-18 “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
Faith thinking!
Scripture reading for February 16th: Mark 5
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Mark 5:27-29 “When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch His clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.”
Jesus arrived on the other side of the lake and a man named Jairus, a synagogue ruler, came asking Him to come to his house and heal his dying daughter. As Jesus went with Jairus, a large crowd followed along and one woman pressed through the crowd to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment. When she did this, Jesus felt power leave His body and looked around to see who had touched Him. The woman came to Him and humbly confessed what she had done. Jesus commended her for her faith and declared her healing!
The key to this woman’s healing was her belief in her heart that Jesus could and would heal her. She spoke to herself this truth: “If I just touch His clothes, I will be healed.” Jesus actually felt her faith drawing healing power from His body as she acted on what she truly believed, pressing through the crowd to touch Jesus’ robe! (Mark 5:30) He drew her faith confession from her lips again to seal her healing!
Observations for over-comers: We must guard our hearts and speak words of faith in each situation and trial of life. Words are powerful when they come from believing hearts. “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)