A Special Touch—Desperately Needed!

As I look around, I see a look of hopelessness on so many faces. I see so people secretly, inwardly crying out for help but outwardly living on with life as though nothing is wrong. I receive messages almost daily across the social media network from individuals in desperate situations—their world caving in; their life falling apart; their hopes and dreams shattered—living in absolute hopelessness with nothing on the horizon to look forward to.

Maybe that is you today? Maybe you are struggling through life and no one seems to care? Maybe your world has taken a drastic downturn and your future offers nothing but despair? Everywhere you turn for help, you seem to get rejected—no one has time to care anymore; no one puts out the effort to care anymore; and you discover quickly that a great many churches have simply lost sight of their true purpose, so finding hope there has fizzled out as well! You need a special touch—and you need it in a very desperate way!

I am reminded of a lady who had suffered a tremendous health problem for many years. She had been to all the doctors, spent every penny she had for some sense of relief, yet continued on living in her pain every day. The Scripture tells us that this woman “approached (Jesus) from behind and touched the tassel on His robe, for she said to herself, ‘If I can just touch His robe, I’ll be made well!’” (Matthew 9:20-21 HCSB).

It was almost like a last-ditch effort for this woman and yet there was something that caused this woman to carry out an act that was frowned upon by society—to reach out and touch a man, in this instance, Jesus. What was that something? What was it that would drive this woman to do such a thing? Her intense desire for relief from her pain! You know very well, if you are suffering in any way today, that you would go the extra mile for relief from whatever it may be.

But, what was it that drove her to Jesus? Mark records an event that helps us to understand this better. We read: “As they (Jesus and His disciples) got out of the boat, people immediately recognized Him. They hurried throughout that vicinity and began to carry the sick on stretchers to wherever they heard He was. Wherever He would go, into villages, towns, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged Him that they might touch just the tassel of His robe. And everyone who touched it was made well” (Mark 6:54-56 HCSB).

Jesus’ reputation of caring for and granting healing to those who were hurting preceded Him. The people far and wide had heard of Jesus and knew that His touch was all they needed in their desperation.

Why are there so many people around us today in desperation when there are churches on nearly every street corner? Is the church truly the hand of Jesus extended? Is the church “being Jesus” to those in need? Is the church carrying out its true purpose? Has the church forsaken the power of the Holy Spirit that fell on the day of Pentecost which enabled that church to turn the world upside down?

Too many churches have turned inward. The selfishness of the church has destroyed the work of the church. The country club “me-first” mentality has swept through and there is no longer a hem of the garment to touch! The light shows, the ear-piercing music, the politically-correct message have all served to drown out the true purpose of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ!

We are no longer His hand extended—reaching out to those in desperation. Fact is most churches don’t even wish to go there anymore. Leave your problems at the door, we don’t have time for them. Leave that to the professionals! Is there any wonder why almost half of America is unchurched today? The church has quit being the church!

The reputation of Jesus drew people to Him. The reputation of the early church drew people to them. However, the reputation most churches have today has turned people away. What has happened? Simple—the church quit being Jesus to a world in desperation!

As you make plans to attend your weekly worship, keep in mind, it is not about you! It is about Jesus—it is about being Jesus. Quit demanding that the church meet your needs or else and start looking around and discovering how you can touch someone else’s life in a spectacular way as Jesus would’ve done!

Scripture Reading: “I cry aloud to the Lord; I plead aloud to the Lord for mercy. I pour out my complaint before Him; I reveal my trouble to Him. Although my spirit is weak within me, You know my way. Along this path I travel they have hidden a trap for me. Look to the right and see: no one stands up for me; there is no refuge for me; no one cares about me. I cry to You, Lord; I say, ‘You are my shelter, my portion in the land of the living.’ Listen to my cry, for I am very weak. Rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me. Free me from prison so that I can praise Your name. The righteous will gather around me because You deal generously with me” (Psalm 142 HCSB).

Personal Prayer: Father in heaven, as I go about my day, may I ever be mindful of those around me that are hurting. May I be willing to go out of my way, as Jesus did, to make an impact in these people’s lives with Your love and goodness. May I be the hand of Jesus extended out to these regardless of how much of my time and effort it takes. I pray that my church would be the hand of Jesus extended so we may once again rise out of the ashes and become the church of the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray for my pastor and our church leadership that they may acquire a fresh anointing of the power of God to faithfully fulfill their responsibility before God. Lord, for my needs, I ask for a special touch from the Master today as well and I do thank You for all these things always…in Jesus’ name…AMEN!