Hands

"One of the synagogue officials, named Jairus, came forward. Seeing him he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, saying, 'My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.' " - Mark 5:22-23

As early as Genesis, when Isaac lays his hands on Jacob, the laying on of hands has been a way to communicate faith in a very physical sense. It's used during confirmation, entrance to the priesthood, when anointing those who are sick, and to send someone off before leaving for a long journey. It's something parents do to children to communicate love (and restraint), and something children may do upon the passing of their parent.

The touch, from one believer to another, speaks directly to the soul of that person. It connects us, through the Holy Spirit, to provide hope, support, or just an awareness that we are there. We use it to welcome new life, and to bid farewell to a life that's passed. It connects us all, and reminds us that, though we may be different, our destinies are intertwined, and that someday, we'll be together again.

And it's this connection that a synagogue official believes will save his little girl. He believes that Jesus is different - that his touch can save a person's soul, and make them whole again. And he's willing to do whatever it takes for that little girl - even though it looks pretty bad to have a synagogue official speak directly to a man who's making so many waves within the Jewish population. But he's willing to risk it all, because deep inside he knows what we know - that through Jesus, all will be healed.