he healed (Mark 6:5; Luke 4:40). When Jesus made contact with people considered impure, he bucked the prevailing idea that the unclean would defile the clean through physical contact. The purity of Jesus was so potent that he cleansed those he touched (Matt 8:2-3; Mark 9:25-27). During his ministry, Jesus used restorative touch to minister deeply to people’s souls (Matt 17:1-8). He touched those who were sinners, outcasts, unloved, broken, hurting, and sick (Matt 9:28-30, 20:30-34; Mark 7:33-35, 8:22-25; Luke 22:47-53; John 9:1-7). He touched women and children (Matt 8:14-15, 9:23-25; Mark 10:16; Luke 13:10-17). His touch removed shame, conferred dignity, and underscored forgiveness (Mark 5:25-29). Jesus used touch to help people feel the truth he was communicating.
HUGS CAN HEAL. For years, I hypothesized that South Asian women were starved for positive human touch. My observations led me to believe that most women had only negative experiences with touch. I wanted to change that. I clipped a newspaper article that documented 88% of women in Bangladesh have suffered physical or sexual abuse—and that only counted the women willing to report. One of the most disturbing aspects of South Asian society is that it categorizes some people as untouchable. In this context, the only touch most women receive causes pain or shame. In their experience, touch takes something from them. Sanctified Christian touch stands in stark contrast. Godly touch is safe and selfless. It intends to give rather than take. It gives unconditional love, value, and comfort. It is transformative and healing. That is why, as part of my discipleship trainings, I intentionally hugged each lady who came. At the first meeting, it was awkward. My hugs seemed so foreign. The women would squirm, sometimes stiffen, but by the second meeting, they were eager for a hug. By our third time together, the women stood in line waiting for their hug. I thought I might pop because the women squeezed me so hard. When I hugged them, some would smile, some would weep. I taught my leadership team a groundbreaking strategy; I called it the “ministry of hugs.”
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