Are You Willing To Let Jesus Touch You Or Are You Close Too Close For Comfort?

My Utmost For His Highest

 

He calls his own…by name… —John 10:3

 

“It is possible to know all about doctrine and still not know Jesus. A person’s soul is in grave danger when the knowledge of doctrine surpasses Jesus, avoiding intimate touch with Him. […] Have I been doubting something about Jesus— maybe an experience to which others testify, but which I have not yet experienced? The other disciples said to Thomas, “We have seen the Lord” (John 20:25). But Thomas doubted, saying, “Unless I see…I will not believe” (John 20:25). Thomas needed the personal touch of Jesus. […] When I have selfishly denied Him? (see John 21:15-17). Peter denied Jesus Christ with oaths and curses (see Matthew 26:69-75), and yet after His resurrection Jesus appeared to Peter alone. […] Do I have a personal history with Jesus Christ? The one true sign of discipleship is intimate oneness with Him— a knowledge of Jesus that nothing can shake.”  CHAMBERS

 

I was thinking about when I was a child and my brothers and I had misbehaved. (Hard as that might be to imagine of me!)  My Mom would sit us on the sofa with our hands folded.  We would sit on the same sofa, but would not touch each other. No way were we going to touch each other. We were on the same sofa but we could have been in different houses.  Together but not.  That is how it is with us and Jesus often times.  We are right next to Him, but we refuse to touch Him, to get too close.  We prefer to keep a respectful distance.  And we miss the abundant life that He offers.  (John 10:10) Most reading this have issues in your lives with which you are in a silent struggle.  Perhaps only the closest to you know about it and perhaps not even they know.  And yet you won’t reach out to Jesus.  (Matthew 11:28) You like knowing that He is sitting next to you, but you choose to handle things on your own.  Even when you feel as though you can’t go on another day.  Even when you are desperate for a solution, for relief, for escape.  Our faith is not notional.  It is not fanciful.  What I mean to say is that our faith is real.  The promises of God are real.  The peace and joy are ours for the taking.  But you won’t experience joy and peace if you are not willing to embrace Jesus. To be touched by Him.  CHARLEY

 

He Touched Me (Bill and Gloria Gaither)

 

“Shackled by a heavy burden, 'Neath a load of guilt and shame.

Then the hand of Jesus touched me, And now I am no longer the same.

 

Since I met this blessed Savior, Since He cleansed and made me whole,

I will never cease to praise Him, I'll shout it while eternity rolls.

 

He touched me, Oh He touched me, And oh the joy that floods my soul!

Something happened and now I know, He touched me and made me whole.”