Handled

The scripture that caught my attention and thoughts today is from 1 John 1:1:
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life-..."
The writer of this book, the Apostle John, wants to make sure his readers know that he is not just writing about something he heard second hand from others, but he is writing to them of things he heard, saw, and touched, himself. He makes the point that he handled Jesus, touching Him with his own hands. 
From the moment He was born to His resurrection, Jesus was touched and handled by others. He allowed Himself to be touched in so many different ways, and circumstances.
As a baby, His mother, Mary, wrapped Him, and cared for Him with a mother's tenderness.
The song, "Mary, Did You Know?" beautifully asks if Mary knew when she kissed her baby's face, that she kissed the face of God?
As Jesus travelled and ministered, and taught about His Father's kingdom, many touched Him.  The scriptures relate the story of a woman who was desperate to be healed, who only touched His clothes. Jesus perceived the healing power that had flowed out of Him. He asked "Who touched Me?" His disciples were amazed at the question because many were touching Him: "Master, the multitude throng and press You, and You say, "Who touched Me?" (Lk. 8:43-45). Not only did this woman touch Him, but He was pressed and thronged by many in that same moment, pressing against Him, grabbing at Him. Out of the many that touched Him in demand, He perceived the one who touched Him in faith, and hope.
In a much different manner, on a different occasion, Jesus' family and friends tried to seize Him, to take hold of Him, because they said He was out of His mind. (Mk. 3:21). What a terrible thing to think of now, when we know who Jesus is! And yet He had to endure this type of handling from friends and family.
Similarly, those who were angered by His words, took Him into their hands and thrust Him out of the town, taking Him to a cliff where they intended to throw Him off. (Lk. 4:29).
There is a precious story of a woman who touched Jesus in thanks and worship. She came into a dinner being held at a Pharisee's house, and began to wash Jesus' feet with her tears, and dry them with her hair. She kissed His feet, and anointed them with perfumed oil. He received her touch. However, because He allowed her touching and handling, the Pharisee who was His host, judged that Jesus could not be a prophet, or He "would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner." (Lk. 7:36-39). Her touching of Jesus greatly offended the Pharisee, but it didn't offend Jesus. The religious are offended, but the humble who handle Jesus this way are raised up.
Jesus allowed His disciples to physically lean against Him for support, and affection. (Jn. 13:23).
He was betrayed with a kiss from a friend. (Lk. 22:47-48).
Jesus was handled with violence upon His arrest, and crucifixion. He was punched, spat upon, hands grabbed His beard and pulled it out. He was beaten with reeds, scourged, stripped in humiliation, and punctured. This is also how men handled Jesus.
Other men's hands gently removed Him from the cross, wrapped a sheet of linen cloth over and under Him, and laid Him in the tomb.
After Jesus was raised from the dead, He encouraged one of His fearful and doubtful disciples, Thomas, to handle Him, to touch His wounds, to see that He was not a ghost, but the same Jesus the disciple knew and loved:
"Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!"  Jn. 20:27-28
When Thomas handled Jesus at that moment, he received a life-changing revelation, even though he had witnessed Jesus in ministry and teaching many times before. At that touch, he declared to Jesus, "My Lord and my God!"
Men were allowed to "handle" Jesus. How they handled Him either condemned them, or saved them. The same is true today. He still places Himself into men's hands. How will we touch and handle Him?

Our Father gives us His Son to handle.

* Painting at the top of the page:
"Doubting Thomas" by Caravaggio


"He Touched Me"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kW3BRX0B8f0

"If I Can Touch the Hem of Your Garment"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exs9KdAckD0