Touch the Future
Touch the Future
Children were brought to Him so He might put His hands on them and pray. But the disciples rebuked them. (Matt. 19:13)
Praying and More
Years ago a father brought his young son to a hotel where the famed Babe Ruth was staying. They knocked on Babe’s door, and the ballplayer himself came out and said, “Hello, kid, want an autograph?” To which the father responded, “No, I just want my son to shake the hand of the greatest baseball player that ever lived.”
Something special is conveyed through the gift of touch. The parents of those children in Jesus’ day could have simply asked the Messiah to pray for their children. He could have easily done that and affected them even if they weren’t present. But they brought their children to Jesus so He might also touch them.
The Ministry of Touch
Men are sometimes a little leery of touching a child for fear the touch might be misunderstood. Perhaps their own fathers were men of few words and fewer touches. No matter—by our touch we can encourage a child. We convey worth and warmth with that hug. We build up confidence with that pat on the back. We teach boys how to become men by looking them in the eye and shaking their hand.
How poor is the child whose father never touches him! In a world where children often lack for male Christian role models, may we never be guilty of the sin of the disciples—may we always make time to touch and to pray.
Bottom Line
Let Jesus touch a child through you today!