LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
The Delicate Touch of His Hand
There are two episodes in the earthly life of the Lord Jesus that marvelously show his delicate feeling, expressed in the way he entered two houses. One is during the visit to the house of Zacchaeus and another at the entrance to the house with the disciples who were going to Emmaus.
In the first case, the Lord was helping a sinner despised by all, since Zacchaeus was not a simple tax collector, but the head of the collectors. Without waiting for Zacchaeus to invite him, Jesus himself voluntarily expressed his desire to go to his house. Zacchaeus really wanted to see Jesus, but he did not dare to tell him, because he was aware of the opprobrium that fell on his profession and, furthermore, because he was short.
In these circumstances, the Lord offered to go to his house, because he knew the heart of that man. How delicate was the feeling of the Lord!
Instead, the two walkers to Emmaus were disciples who were turning their backs. His eyes had grown dull spiritually; they failed to recognize the Lord when they found him. The Lord went with them walking and talking, explaining the Scriptures to them.
As the two men approached the village to which they were going, the Lord gave the impression that he was going ahead. His attitude toward these two disciples was very different from his attitude toward Zacchaeus.
These men knew the Lord well. But now they were going backwards. And even after hearing many words from the Lord, they kept advancing towards Emmaus. For this reason, the Lord pretended that he continued further, until they begged him to stay with them.
In one case, a man turns to the Lord; in the other, two men step back and turn their backs on the Lord. That is why the Lord's attitude towards them was so different in each case.
The Lord did not approach all men in the same way, but rather according to the needs of each one. For all of them, his heart was full of love, but each one needed a different touch of his hand. A delicate and unique touch.