Holding Tightly

My nephew has been meeting with several of his friends for breakfast or lunch each week, with the purpose of challenging each other to walk out their faith in Christ in more radical and biblical ways.

On one occasion, a man in a wheelchair approached their table. As they conversed with him, Brad and his friends realized that this man had tremendous needs beyond what any one person could handle. As others in the group left to return to their jobs, my nephew Brad stayed and talked with him. Eventually they established that he was not looking for money, yet he was longing for peace and joy in his life. His anger toward God seemed unforgiveable to him; he was struggling with any hope of forgivness through Christ. As they talked, the man wept at Brad’s demonstration of love through his simple willingness to engage with the man. As Brad prayed for him, the man experienced restored hope.

The man was so overwhelmed that he could not let go of Brad’s hand. He gripped Brad tightly for the longest time, so grateful for the healing touch that he felt.

When Brad told me the story, I was reminded of Peter and John in Acts 3 when they came upon the “lame man” in the Temple. As the man begged from them, Peter turned and looked at him intently. “I don’t have any money for you,” Peter said. “But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus, get up and walk!”

Later in the passage, the man was so overwhelmed at his healing that he was “holding tightly” to Peter and John. The people around him were astounded and stood in awe at the work of Christ in his life.

When did you last engage with someone by looking at him or her intently and offering hope in Jesus? Do you know what it’s like to have someone hold on tightly to you because he or she is so desperate for what you have to offer in Christ?

I believe there’s a good chance that the days to come will grow increasingly difficult for people. We will have opportunities to look intently into people’s eyes, pray for them, and point them to the healing hope found only in Jesus Christ. We can anticipate a lot of holding tightly from those who are desperate for the Lord’s healing touch.