When Jesus walked this earth, He healed the sick, raised the dead, cleansed lepers, and cast out demons; the blind received their sight, and the lame walked. But what touches my heart even more deeply is God’s grace in healing our memories, hearts, and souls. Jesus’ desire is to see every area of our lives prosper and be made whole. Here is an example:

     A man full of leprosy desired to be healed by Jesus. In the eyes of society, lepers were unclean and lived isolated from their family and loved ones. Unable to touch another person, they kept to themselves. The stench of their sickness followed them everywhere. 

   To reach Jesus, the leper had to proclaim, "Unclean, unclean.” Fearing contamination, the onlookers made way for him. Finally reaching Jesus, he fell on his face, worshiping Him, and said, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” In response, and out of compassion, before he was healed of leprosy, “Jesus put forth His hand and touched him” (Mark 1:39-45, Luke 5:13).

     It was the human touch of Christ’s hand that healed the root of rejection and the pain in this leper’s soul. Jesus could have healed him with a word, but His touch of love and acceptance first healed his inner being. Only then did Jesus say, “I will: be now clean” (Luke 5:13), and the man was healed of leprosy. Jesus ministered to both healings but in different ways.

     God’s hand has touched the inner being of my life many times. When I was a child, we were very poor. I wore worn-out clothes, and my toes stuck out of my shoes.

    During this time, I desperately wanted my mother’s love and attention. One night, my mother was on a date. I placed a piece of wood on my chest under my shirt, then stuck a knife into the board. To look like blood, I covered the area with ketchup. I waited and waited, hoping she would open the door and cry out, “Oh no! What happened to my son?” Then I would know she really did care. After midnight, I grew tired of waiting and went to bed.

      When I was 12, my mother remarried. Every evening at the supper table, my stepfather glared at me as I ate. The message was clear: “You are scum, and you are not worthy to eat at my table.” Every time I sat down to eat, the sense of unworthiness haunted me for years.

       As a teenager.  As I left for school, my stepfather stood in the doorway and said, “You are nothing, and you will never be anybody.” He said this for 6 years, until I left home at 18. Because of the curse of his words, every time I started to become successful, such as in finances, relationships, or sports, I would sabotage it, believing it would never happen. 

    That is until the Lord showed me that He doesn’t create failures. Long before I was born, I was conceived in the heart of the Father. In the womb, He knew me. Through His grace, I was born to succeed and prosper in EVERY area of my life. Today, whether in my marriage, finances, health, or ministry, God has shown His desire for His people to prosper. The apostle John echoed this truth when he said,

    “Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in good health, even as your soul prospers (3 John 1: 2).

      What about the years I desperately longed for my mother’s attention? One day, I felt the warmth of the Lord's hand touch my right hand. Immediately, He healed the emptiness and rejection I felt in my heart and soul. Instead of feeling forsaken and unloved, I began to live with confidence and assurance, knowing I was loved and wanted! Wrapped in the arms of my Father’s loving care, I now know who I am and whose I am. 

     Regarding my stepfather, who did not welcome me at his table? Today, the Lord continually welcomes me to come and dine at His table. There in His presence, as David proclaimed,

     “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over with blessings” (Psalm 23:5).

    Each morning, with thanksgiving, I feast on God's Word. I also enjoy life's simple pleasures. But sometimes I have tears in my eyes from the joy and gratitude I feel while eating a delicious meal; people don’t understand that it’s all because of God’s healing grace.

      Jesus walked through the human experience of temptation, grief, loneliness, sorrow, and rejection (Isaiah 53:3). Whether it’s our memories, heart and soul issues, or spiritual or physical infirmities, Jesus' hand can touch and heal every part of life.

      You don’t have to clean up your life first or feel worthy to come to the Lord. He accepts you right where you are.  Christ’s compassion and His healing virtue are available to all who call upon His name. His hand is ready to reach out and touch you right where you are.

     Psalm 34:8 tells us, The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Roy Roden

Eastgate Ministries

contact@eastgateministries.org