March 21 - The Word and the Touch
In Capernaum, Jesus taught the people and they quickly realized that His Word possessed authority. Jesus then used this authority of the Word to perform two miracles. He rebuked the spirit of an unclean demon, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” So the demon came out of the man, having done him no harm. The people were all amazed and said to one another, “What is this word? For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!”
When Simon’s mother-in-law was sick with a high fever, others appealed to Jesus on her behalf. So Jesus stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, then immediately she rose and began to serve them. The authority of the Word was not only powerful in casting out demons, it was effective in healing of the body. In both cases, Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit as well as the fever. There is power in the Word of Jesus.
Other than using his mouth to utter healing words, Jesus also used the power of His touch. On the same day, when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases were brought to Him. Jesus just laid His hands on every one of them and they were healed. Instead of using His Words, Jesus used His touch on the sick people and they were healed. Both His Words and His touch came with authority to heal and cast out the demonic.
Since Jesus commanded His disciples to do greater things than what He had done, and since He had given the believers power and authority, we may have the power of the word and the power of touch. In the incarnation, Jesus was the Word becoming flesh. The Word of God living in a live person. It is not by word alone but we also are touching people where they hurt. So in healing and deliverance, both word and touch are to be used. We may rebuke the enemy and touch the sick and needy with our hands.
In a broader sense, we are to use the healing Word of God and at the same time, show our compassion by touching people’s hurts. To heal people and set them free without compassion is not complete. Jesus saw the multitude as sheep without shepherd and He had compassion on them. So He fed the five thousand and the four thousand. Today, God wants you to do nothing less.
Do not be afraid to rebuke sickness and lay your hands on people for their healing. In doing so, they may experience the power and the love of the Kingdom, opening their hearts for Jesus to come in. Yes, you are a fisher of man and the way to do it is through sharing the Word of God and the touch of God. Are you doing both?
Ps 41:10-13 Num 32:1-33:39 Luke 4:31-5:11 Prov 11:22