The Touch of CHRIST
The CHRIST Culture Blog | September, 2020 | Rev. Dr. Carole Hulslander
Most who claim the name of JESUS know the Church is the beloved of JESUS. HE calls the Church HIS bride, body, and family (1. Cor. 12:12-26; Eph. 1:23; Matthew 12:50 ). From HIS Church the Kingdom/Culture is built, and no weapon formed can stand against it (Matt. 16:18). The Church is HIS witness to a dying world. HIS Kingdom’s culture is what will protect the weak and guide the strong. Without HIS Church the evil in the world grows, and we will witness more narcissism, cruelty, deception, and death.
Recently there has been an evil that has come against the Church. Through this evil many church buildings have closed their doors; some will never reopen. Covid-19 has paralyzed many churches and believers throughout the world. Not only is the Church told we should not meet, but we are also told that we are not to touch each other—even though Scripture teaches us to greet each other with a HOLY kiss (1 Thessalonians 5:26). People are filled with fear with the a daily dose of mainstream media. We have witnessed people wearing masks and gloves alone in their own cars, screaming at others for not wearing masks or practicing safe distancing. It has been shocking to see our government come against believers when they attempt to attend parking-lot services. Even today we are seeing the persecution of pastors that open the doors of the Church they serve; while other riots and gathering are permitted - and even encouraged - in some cities.
When I went to ADONAI in prayer, HE told me to meet with those who would meet and touch those who want to be touched. CHRIST also instructed us not to be arrogant or ignorant but to trust in HIM.
We decided to prepare a zoom service. To prepare and produce our first services which took the effort of 10-12 church members meeting each week for a month. We then held services in our outdoor courtyard before it was allowed by our local government, and our first service meeting together was the first Sunday in May. AVINU watched over us and no one came down with Covid-19 nor were we threaten by our local government. The Church agreed that we must serve ELOHIM over humans (Acts 5:29).
I searched the Scriptures and found the law and the story of the leper (Leviticus 13; Matthew 8:1-3) and I would like to talk to you about what I found.
It was against Jewish Law to touch a leper, and if you did dare to touch a leper, you would be sent out of the town and considered unclean. It was dangerous to touch a leper because leprosy was a highly contagious and deadly disease that killed slowly and miserably—and had no known cure at that time. Yet when YESHUA met a leper, HE touched him (Matthew 8:1-3).
Matthew 8:1-3 says: "When JESUS came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed HIM. A man with leprosy came and knelt before HIM and said, “LORD, if you are willing, YOU can make me clean.” JESUS reached out HIS hand and touched the man. “I AM willing,” HE said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy."
The Church, the body, the bride, and family of CHRIST JESUS needs to make a choice. Are we the Church of CHRIST JESUS or are we something else? Will we dare to truly follow HIM? Will we show-forth HIS response to those who are a danger to us? Will we be willing to touch those who want to be touched even when it may cost us our earthly lives? Will we decide to be HIS Kingdom here on earth by living out HIS culture and by reaching out to touch?