Jesus Hugs

Sometimes, all we need is a touch to remind us we’re not alone. In this devotional, discover how Jesus’ physical embrace reflected the Father's love—and how that love reaches us still.

I received a short video that someone sent me of Jesus giving various types of hugs. It was captured from clips of The Chosen, a drama series about the life of Jesus and His disciples. The video can be found on YouTube – type in “Imagine Hugging Jesus” by Jacob Coyne. Depending on the person and the event, sometimes Jesus just stood there, and before He even had a chance, they leapt into His arms with love, adoration, or gratitude. With each individual and situation, Jesus gave diverse hugs. On other occasions, He would just lay His hand on someone’s shoulder, head, or face. Physical contact was given liberally. Some touches were for healing, raising the dead, casting out demons, or, when knowing their thoughts, with compassion. Jesus embraced many human beings during His time on Earth. His intimate touches demonstrated His love for the very person before Him. In John 1:3, the NLV version informs, “God created everything through Him, and nothing was created except through Him.” We are His intimate creation. If we believe He created us, then we are also that person before Him.

There are times when I write that I need to add a caveat for clarity. An individual can be a recluse or may have been physically abused. In that case, receiving physical touch takes a different approach; emotional healing needs to come first. They don’t necessarily welcome a touch from another human. Yet, there are others with whom we are close enough that we know that permission is not needed - that a hug or a touch on the shoulder will make a difference to their day. Wisdom needs to be applied to every individual and situation. Is that person in a place where an embrace is welcomed? Or, are you close enough to plant a Jesus hug on them? Also, when it comes to the opposite gender, we need to be wise in our approach.

Jesus was physical, and His intimacy with others was rooted in the love of our Father. We tend to think of physical touch as relating to a different form of intimacy, but many types of touch remain non-sexual and provide healing to the individual at hand. Staying connected to another person requires many things, and one of them is showing compassion through touch or an embrace. Those few seconds of time and energy expended on another can make a difference to their day. It can remind them that someone is there alongside them who cares about them and their situation. In an instant, people can become energized and experience a change in their attitude by someone taking the time to care.

None of us knows when we may be alone. Some lose a partner through divorce or death - an unanticipated event or outcome, where they are partnered one day and single the next. Others would love to feel a compassionate hand on their shoulder because they haven’t been physically touched in a long time. Human touch is so important. There have been documented cases of children who have grown up emotionally damaged because of a lack of human touch and nurturing. Grown-ups need touch as well. In one article I read, a gal wrote that no one had touched her for two years!

When I was single, I once told Jesus that I needed a hug. I can’t remember if it was a prayer or just a call-out. But I wouldn’t have guessed the outcome. If I didn’t tell you, you wouldn’t be able to guess either. Here’s the goods - I have had only three dreams of my mother throughout the 25-plus years she’s been with Jesus. When I called out about getting a hug, I had a dream. It was so realistic! The moment I fell asleep became the instant my mom showed up in my dream. She told me that she was there to hug me, and she held me the entire night, yes, the whole night. I absorbed it all, and my empty well became full. It was a loooooong hug! By morning, I told her (in the nicest way possible) that she could let go now. I think she knew, but she was waiting for confirmation. When I awoke, I felt complete, full and refreshed. I await the day when I can hug her once more.

Do you know that the Word says that He has your name written on the palms of His hand? Isaiah 49:16 (NLT) describes God's intimate love: "See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands." You are always on His mind. The same nail-pierced palms of His hands that touched others have YOUR name engraved on it. That's right, your name! Isn't that amazing? There will be a day, that day when His hand will be outstretched to you, inviting you to hold His. Jesus will wipe away every tear of sorrow and will replace them with a hug. He will open His arms wide for the embrace you too await! What a day that will be.

Jeremiah 13:3 (NASB), “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.”

Brought to you by Debra L. Peters, author of “The Certainty in Uncertain Times.”