When we went to church a short while ago, a woman my wife is getting to know, came over to speak with her.  Before speaking though, the woman gave my wife a hug.  Donna expressed to me later, that the hug nearly brought her to tears.  She said, "I have really missed being hugged."

The fear that has spread through our society because of covid, and the fear which continues to exist, is stealing one of the most importantly needed points of human contact we have, that of touch. We have been instructed to wear masks, stay six feet away from each other, and if possible, to not touch one another.  Pre-covid, our human interactions included hugging, shaking hands, clasping arms, giving fist bumps, giving a slap on the back, a kiss on the cheek, or resting a hand on someone's back, arm, or shoulder.

Scripture is seen to encourage touching by a holy kiss on the cheek or in the laying on of hands for ministry.

Modern day societies demonstrate the act of a physical touch in various ways.  In many cultures around the world, people are accustomed to physical contact in a friendly way to warmly greet someone.  For example, the French shake hands and often kiss them on both cheeks.  In Arab countries, males hug and kiss both cheeks of their close male friends or colleagues.  Contact between opposite genders in public is a no-no. In Belgium, people kiss on one cheek, regardless of gender or how well they know each other.  In Russia, a typical male greeting is a very firm handshake.  A less firm handshake is extended to women, and it is considered gallant to kiss women three times while alternating cheeks, and even to kiss hands.

There are numerous accounts in Scripture where "touch" is involved in communication.  An angel touched Daniel to minister strength to him  We read this in Daniel 10:10,16a, and 18 (NASB20), "Then behold, a hand touched me and shook me on my hands and knees. ... 16 And behold, one who resembled a human was touching my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke...18 Then this one with human appearance touched me again and strengthened me."

Jesus touched many as He ministered healing.  Mark 1:41, "Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out with His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed."  Matthew 9:29,(NASB20), "Then He touched their eyes, saying, "It shall be done for you according to your faith."

Jesus also ministered to children through touch as seen in Matthew 19:13-15 (NLT), "One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so He could lay His hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering Him. 14 But Jesus said, "Let the children come to Me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children." 15 And He placed His hands on their heads and blessed them before He left."

Sometimes, we read where people sought to touch Jesus for ministry, as we see in Luke 8:46 (NLT), "Someone deliberately touched Me (Jesus), for I felt healing power go out from Me."

The believers were instructed to greet one another with a holy kiss.  Romans 16:16, "Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you."  The Greek word for "kiss" in this verse is philema which means, a sign of fraternal affection, with which Christians were accustomed to welcome or dismiss the companions in the faith.  The same verse in the Contemporary English Version reads, "Be sure to give each other a warm greeting."  Then, Paul also instructed the church at Corinth to do the same; 1 Corinthians 16:20 (NASB20), "All the brothers and sisters greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss."

We all need a touch from God at times and often that comes through another human being.  Acts 20:37 (NASB20), "And they all began to weep aloud and embraced Paul, and repeatedly kissed him."  The Greek word used for kiss in this verse is the word, kataphileo, which means to kiss much, or kiss again and again. (Paul had just told them that they would not see his face again.)

Please keep in mind that, in our Western culture, people are not accustomed to giving or receiving a "holy kiss."  Thus, for us here, the more appropriate response would be a hug or a hand on the shoulder or arm.

According to the Urban Dictionary, a hug can be between friends, relatives, man and woman, human and animal, or even animal to animal.  A hug is an expression of warmth and friendliness with arms outstretched around the other.  Hugs are an expression of love, kindness, sympathy, friendliness, greetings, and sometimes to say hello or goodbye.  Hugs provide a sense of intimacy.

According to Selena Quinn in Everyday Health, "A hug is a nonverbal communication and is the most common way to express love and affection.  Everyone needs physical contact to survive and hugging is an act of giving and receiving the support and love people need."

Erica Cirino is quoted in Healthline as saying, "We hug others when we are excited, happy, sad, or trying to comfort.  Hugging, it seems, is universally comforting.  It makes us feel good and it turns out that hugging is proven to make us healthier and happier.” She continued on to say, "Hugs reduce stress by showing your support.  When a friend or family member is dealing with something painful or unpleasant in their lives, give them a hug.  Scientists say that giving another support through touch can reduce the stress of the person being comforted.  It can even reduce the stress of the person doing the comforting."  In a study of over 400 adults, researchers found that hugging could possibly protect you from illness by reducing the chances that you will get sick, may boost your heart health (by lowering your stress levels), can make you happier, may reduce fears, can reduce pain, and are a form of communication.

Shoba Sreenivason and Linda Weinberger, Ph.D's wrote in Psychology Today,  about the importance of "touch".  "The importance of touch is so great that it is the first sense to develop during gestation. Being touched and touching others is a powerful form of social interaction and may become even more important for those who are alone.  Touch is the first sense to develop in the womb and is our first social interaction at birth." 

In 13th Century Germany, King Frederick II wanted to see what language babies would develop if not spoken to. He put the babies in the care of nurses who were not allowed to speak to them, nor touch them.  The experiment failed when all of the babies died.  The horrible truth discovered in this experiment, was that babies could not survive without communication or touch.

To further quote Sreenivason and Weinberger, "Throughout one's life, there are many positive outcomes that derive from being touched.  Touch, as in hugging, can boost the immune system, as well as reduce pain, and aid in sleeping.  Touching is a basic experience of our body and helps us develop a sense of self.  Touching is as important as being touched.  Touch is a means of expressing one's emotions."  They went on to say, "Touching communicates care and love, as well as concern.  We hug one another when we want to convey positive feelings toward each other or when we want to express our support and concern for someone in  need.  Touch remains an important sensory agent; particularly, in soothing distress." (My note, because sometimes words alone are insufficient.)

When words are not enough, touch can be very effective in communicating that you care and are there to help carry the burden of life, whatever that may be.  Sometimes all that is needed is a hand on a shoulder or arm.

We are created in the image of God. When we enter into relationship with Jesus, the Word says that we are the body of Christ.  Sometimes, when a touch from God is needed, it can come through us.