Supernaturally Natural: Rethink The Way We, The Church, Worships Corporately - Part XVII
from Supernaturally Natural: Chapter 15 manuscript by Anthony Bachman
Mindset to rethink: Can touch be supernatural because it is so tangible?
Touch is a tough one because it can oppose faith. Touch is tangible; faith is not. Doubting Thomas would believe if he could only “touch” the resurrected Lord. At that moment he lacked the faith to believe. Jesus, not yet glorified, supernaturally appears to the eleven disciples and allows Thomas to naturally be “touched” by the supernatural releasing Thomas’ faith to never doubt again, so the Bible records a supernatural touch and its effects.
Michelangelo’s “Creation” painting has God the Father reaching out his body across the painting in an effort to touch man who is also sprawled out in an attempt to be touched. There is creative power in touch.
Throughout hymns the lyrics reflect the “touch of Jesus”, the “touch of the master’s hand”, the “Lord’s touch”. Touch can be supernatural, for it can be a feeling. In most services we feel it is natural to touch one another with cordial handshakes, or light pats on the back called hugs. But what do we really mean when we say we have been “touched by the Holy Spirit”? To touch someone means to connect personally with them. I believe that “touch” will be even more significant as we learn to enter His Presence and connect with His Holy Spirit allowing Him to “touch” us.
Touch can also be a supernatural act of faith. The woman who had an irreversible blood condition for almost her entire life wanted to only “touch” the hem of Jesus’ garment to be healed. When she did Jesus did not feel the physical touch because the crowd pressing against him, but he felt the supernatural touch of healing leaving his body.
Throughout the Bible the “laying on of hands” is a natural act of touching that produces supernatural results. I have seen people supernaturally baptized in the spirit, anointed, ordained, slain in the Spirit, and healed through the laying on of hands. As Michelangelo’s painting depicts, there is a focal point of touch that transfers the supernatural from God to natural man.
As a church we need to rethink how important touch is in worship. People cannot help but be “touched” when in the Presence of the Lord God Almighty who reveals Himself to every believer. When “touched” by God, man is never the same. NEVER! Moses came out of the Presence white haired and glowing, having to wear a veil because the Glory of the Lord shown off of him. “Touch me Lord,” is my cry.