Gentle touch of blessing

"Jesus blesses the Children" from Treasures of the Bible

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Mark 10:1-6

TO CHEW ON: "Then they brought little children to Him that He might touch them … And He took them up in HIs arms, laid His hands on them and blessed them." Mark 10:13,16

What a beautiful picture of God incarnate, interacting with children.

He touches them.

[Touch - hapto means to fasten to a thing, kindle, set of fire. It's the same word that's used often in the gospels of Jesus when He heals people, or they reach out and contact some part of Him.]

Here Jesus' touch delivers a blessing.

He takes the children in His arms and lays His hands on them. It is a picture of gentleness.  Other places in the Bible where we see God or His servants handling people with gentleness:

• David, when praying a psalm of thanksgiving after the danger of Saul is past says "Your gentleness has made me great" - 2 Samuel 22:36 and also Psalm 18:35.

• Isaiah prophesies that Messiah will be gentle:

"He will feed His flock like a shepherd . … and gently lead those who are with young" - Isaiah 40:11.

"A bruised reed He will not break
And smoking flax He will not quench" - Isaiah 42:3.

Matthew points out that Jesus is the fulfillment of Isaiah's predictions (Matthew 12:20).

• Paul speaking to the Christians in Corinth does it with meekness and gentleness - 2 Corinthians 10:1. He reminds the church in Thessalonica that he ministered among them with gentleness: "… just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children" - 1 Thessalonians 2:7.

Let's be challenged today by this beautiful example of Jesus and His servants, to touch things—physically and in ministry and speech—with gentleness, delivering healing and a blessing.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, as I interact with people today, please bring to mind the picture of You gently touching and holding the children to bless and heal.

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.