Touch is the first sense we acquire and might just be the secret to successful relationships. Communication at birth is through touch from the parents, doctors, nurses, and a cadre of other medical specialists. People impart essential security and communication through touch. Hands-on is critical. We are wired to respond to touch. Think about it, if touch is a language, it appears we instinctively know how to use, manipulate and unfortunately abuse. Touch is a highly sophisticated and precise way to communicate our emotions. When a mother to-be is with child, touching, stroking and rubbing her plump tummy while talking to the baby indicates bonding. The unborn infant feels the vibrations, touch, comfort, nurturing, and loving-kindness before birth. This might be the child’s first encounter with the outside world. It is a fact; we are never touched as much as when we are children, which is why our comfort level with physical contact is so important. Touching is a marker for closeness.
The big hands-on people are: doctors, nurses, managers, care-givers, and teachers. These touchy-feely people have a professional responsibility to not send the wrong touching message. Experts say a good rule of thumb is to keep the hands above the shoulders. Otherwise, it gets creepy. Of course, different cultures have different tolerant levels. Then, there’s the quality of the touch, the duration, the implications—you know what we mean? Sometimes, it’s a complex matrix to figure out. The only rule of communication by touch that results in you not getting into trouble is—not to do it at all. Can we afford that?
There’s very little in life that touches our hearts like the trust of a child. Walking across the busiest highway at rush hour wouldn’t bother a child, as long as they can hold onto mom or dad’s hand. Fear isn’t the over-riding factor, trust is the one and only concern that concerns that little one.
Can you have trust like that when you’re an adult? The answer is yes, but it’s not such a simple matter. It can be simple but our fears and knowledge of how things really work prevent faith from blooming.
On one occasion the role was reversed. In the Gospel of Luke there is a story of an atypical Roman officer who loved his servant and the Jewish people. This man was a rarity in early Palestine territory. His servant was sick and about to die! The Roman centurion heard that Jesus was nearby and he sent out some elders of the Jews asking Jesus to come and heal his servant. Jesus was close to the centurion’s house when he was met by some friends of the centurion. He sent them to tell Jesus that, “He didn’t deserve Jesus even coming to his house. If Jesus would only say the word his servant would be healed.” (Luke 7)
When Jesus heard this he was amazed at the centurion. Let’s pause here for a moment. Do you realize what it took to get Jesus’ attention, let alone amaze Jesus! Jesus told the crowd that he had not seen such great faith – even in Israel! When the friends of the centurion returned to the centurion’s home they found the servant healed and feeling well. This man didn’t beg and plead with Jesus. This man didn’t hold the hands of Jesus begging. It was the simple faith of a man who knew Jesus could do anything. When you have that kind of faith, Jesus is amazed.
This Gentile’s faith was a welcome contrast to the unbelief of the Jews.
What kind of faith are you showing these days?
Where would we be without the Master’s touch?
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