The Power of a Touch

Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. (Acts 3:2-7) 
 
Traditionally, men who had the kind of disabilities that the beggar had in Acts chapter 3 were placed by the road every day in high traffic areas so that they might beg for change. In the minds of their family members, these disabled people were rendered useless to society. Not to mention, no one would touch them for fear of being made ritually unclean.  
 
But the Bible says that Peter and John didn’t treat him that way. Seeking to show the man the power of God, they stretched out their hand and lifted him up. That touch may seem subtle to you, but it is significant in the text. People with any kind of perceived blemish were not touched, especially by those going into worship, because the belief was that the perceived impurities would transfer to them. So Peter and John were making a radical statement of love by touching him.  
 
Our role as the Church is to be willing to reach out and touch those who the world refuses to touch, to encourage those whom the world discourages, to lift up those whom the world has let down, and to pay attention to those whom the world ignores. Never underestimate the power of a simple touch. You never know how God could use you to impact someone else just through your willingness to reach out your hand and help them.