The Power of a Simple Touch

Back in the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, AT&T’s “reach out and touch someone” commercials were wildly successful! They ran the campaign for almost 3 decades, won just about every award to be had, and arguably changed the face of advertising. This idea came out of research which found that people did not want to call long distance because of how costly it was. 

So the advertisers brilliantly comprised these commercials, drawing on the emotions of people who were separated by miles, but longed for connection. They longed for touch, and a close second was to hear the voices of their loved ones over the phone. Many of you are hearing the jingle even as you read this. Advertisers know the importance of, and the deep craving we all possess for, human contact!

We see Elijah reach out and touch the widow’s son in 1 Kings 17. God had spared the widow and her son from starving to death, but now her precious son had become ill and died. Elijah takes the child from the mother who was holding him. He holds the child, stretches himself on the child (ok that’s a little weird), and eventually carries the healed child back to his mother. Elijah’s touch made a difference.

I remember the kind nurse who held my hand as a teenager, and reassured me as they wheeled me back for an emergency surgery. I remember my grandmother’s loving touch. I remember the first time my husband hugged me. I vividly remember the first time I held each of my children and their need for my loving touch. After the birth of one of my sons they wrapped him and I together, and almost immediately his inability to regulate his body temperature resolved. I remember holding my mother-in-law’s hand as she took her final breath in this life. 

Touch. Human contact is a gift from God.

Then, there is Jesus. What a radical! While everyone scattered as they heard the leper’s cries of “Unclean!”, Jesus extended His hand, touched the man who had not felt human touch for a long time, and healed him. Jesus extended His healing touch to Peter’s mother-in-law who had a fever. The woman with the issue of blood in Matthew 9 believed in the power of touching Jesus, and encouraged herself to touch just the hem of His garment- and she was healed! Jesus took the daughter of the ruler Jairus by the hand and she was healed. Jesus touched the eyes of the blind, and the ears of the Deaf. 

A simple touch can be so powerful.

Be like Jesus: reach out and extend a loving touch to someone today.