The Gift of the Blessing.Jesus was a master at communicating love and personal acceptance. He did so when He blessed and held... little children.

Cover of The BlessingThe Gift of the Blessing.Jesus was a master at communicating love and personal acceptance. He did so when He blessed and held... little children. But another time His sensitivity to touch someone was even more graphic. This was when Jesus met a grown man who was barred by law from ever touching anyone again....




To touch a leper was unthinkable. Banishing lepers from society, people would not get within a stone's throw of them. (In fact, they would throw stones at them if they did come close!)... With their open sores and dirty bandages, lepers were the last persons anyone would want to touch. Yet the first thing Christ did for this man was touch him.



Even before Jesus spoke to him, He reached out His hand and touched him. Can you imagine what that scene must have looked like? Think how this man must have longed for someone to touch him, not throw stones at him to drive him away. Jesus could have healed him first and then touched him. But recognizing his deepest need. Jesus stretched out His hand even before He spoke words of physical and spiritual healing.



(From The Gift of the Blessing by Gary Smalley and John Trent)



Jesus shows us the power of gentle love. Who do you have trouble "touching" because they are not loveable in any way? Love requires more than words, compassion requires action. Look for ways to express compassion to those who are starving for a tender touch.



What is the "time of fulfillment," and the "reign of God" mean to you?



Time is running out! What are you going to do about it?



"The New Testament, therefore, says that we are to live according to the demands of the Kingdom of God. We are to make God the center and source of our being" (Catholicism-Richard P. McBrien, Pg. 962).



Commitment? "Love me with all your heart" became the great commandment from God (Deut. 6:5). It indicated not just the top requirement set by God for our behavior but also His deep desire to be known and loved by His human creatures and to interact with them.



"Religious conversion is a total being-in-love with God: Heart, soul, mind and strength" (Catholicism-Richard P. McBrien, Pg 962).

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