A Touch of Jesus

Everyone can use a touch of Jesus, in one way or another.

There’s a man who spends hours in the local coffee shop. He smells like he hasn’t showered for a week, and usually has the same clothes on. He orders a cup of coffee and sits at a front table, looking at notebook pages or singing loudly to himself. He most likely doesn’t have a home to call his own. Wandering, purposeless, and sad. Where has he been and where is he going?

He needs a touch of Jesus.

A young mother stood with her two small sons at the counter of a little thrift store. She wore a flowing, yellow polka dotted dress and a traditional German Baptist covering. She asked if anyone had found some missing money and then broke down in tears. “There’s magic in this store. Missing things just turn up here,” the employee told her, in an effort to console her. Her lost money has been saved up for a special suit for her little boy. She’s been praying all day that she would somehow find it somewhere.

She needs a touch of Jesus.

He’s a college student with hair like Frodo’s and a demeanor that resembles a clown. Occasionally he’ll wear unique outfits that include black round rimmed glasses, Scottish plaid beret, red and green Christmas-y shirt with Christmas vest, checked red & green pajama shorts, and Irish green leather shoes. He laughs. He talks. He is desperate for attention. He seems not to take seriously the Scripture he is singing.

He needs a touch of Jesus.

A young lady brimming with talents and passions struggles. She doesn’t know what God wants her to do, or why He seems to open doors, then slam them in her face. She is confused. She needs renewal and a rekindling of the fire that is still smoldering within her heart.

She needs a touch of Jesus.

A man sits in jail, with the guilt and blood of three murdered people staining his conscience. A hardened young woman says that “people who believe in God just want something to believe in,” and tries to convince herself that she is happy. A lady who used to be vibrantly alive gives into the darkness oppressing her spirit and stops feeling and living. There are so many stories. We all have hurts, pain, struggles, weaknesses, and battles to fight. We so desperately need Jesus to touch us.

Jesus, come and touch us, one by one, with Your love. Redeem our messed up lives, heal our wounded hearts, and fill us with You.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.” (Isaiah 61:1-3)

This is why Jesus came! He wants the broken hearts to be bound up, the captives and prisoners to be proclaimed free, and a crown of beauty to emerge from ashes. Instead of mourning, He brings the oil of joy. Instead of a spirit of despair, He clothes us with a garment of praise!

Oh, may we allow Jesus to touch us today.