Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Touching the Untouchable


Geetha Thomas
St. Thomas MTC, Chicago, IL
7 but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.


In the First Letter from John, Chapter 1, John is encouraging the readers to live in fellowship with God and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

Jesus lived in this world as a normal human being. He walked with the common people of that time. In today’s terms we can call them the middle class or the low income people. He saw their lives, He felt what they went through, He understood their pain and sufferings, the injustice they suffered and above all He saw their longing for a savior. He taught them how to pray, He touched them and healed them, He comforted them with His words, actions and sometimes with His silence. He spread the light around Him removing all darkness away.

I am a Physical Therapist by profession. Touching someone in pain can do miracles sometimes. Touching develops compassion, empathy and trust. Touching can heal a deep old wound. Touch has the power to forgive and to accept. Jesus taught us that touch is powerful. When some mothers brought their children to Jesus, his disciples tried to send them away. Jesus rebuked them. He touched them and blessed them. He felt the pain of loss of the widow of Nain, He felt the darkness of the blind Bartimaeus. He touched them and gave them hope. He touched the lepers, the blind and the sinners.  He touched the untouchables.

Who are the untouchables? We who call ourselves the believers are untouchables too. Jesus walks with the untouchables today too. He can hear us, heal us and touch us, only if we let him and believe he can. Are we willing to touch the untouchables? Or are we germophobic and keep our hands to ourselves? Or do we need hand sanitizers before and after we touch someone?? The Apostle John says if we call ourselves Christians we have God’s light in us. So if we live in the light of God, just as Jesus did, then we should have fellowship with one another and the blood of Christ purifies us from every sin. This Lenten season let us reflect on ourselves and repent our sins. Let us extend our fellowship not just to the believers within our community, but to the non believers  around us too. Let us touch the untouchables. Sometimes a hug or a pat on the shoulder is all it takes to begin a fellowship.


PRAYER


Dear Heavenly Father, We are sinners and we ask you to touch us and cleanse us. Let your light guide us and show us the way to touch others and comfort them with your love and peace. Amen

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
All who believe in Jesus and love God must also love one another.

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