Spiritual Law of Contact
(Reading time: 1 minute) The Gospel of Mark records the story of a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years, despite spending all her money on medical treatments. She heard about Jesus and thought she would be healed if she could simply touch his clothes (Mark 5:25-28). When she touched his garment, she felt the change in her body and Jesus realized power had gone out from him (vv. 29-30). Her faith healed her, but it was the touch that transmitted the healing power to her (also see Mark 6:56).
Physical touch often has a key role in both physical and spiritual events. Though God’s spiritual power doesn’t require physical contact to flow from one person to another, the physical act often is an expression of compassion or faith. The Bible provides many examples of Jesus touching someone when healing them (see Matt. 8:3; 20:34; Luke 13:12-13). He said those who believe in him will place their hands on sick people and they will get well (Mark 16:18).
However, physical contact is not essential for spiritual impartation such as healing or anointing. There are numerous examples of Jesus healing people without touching them or even being near them in some cases (see Matt. 8:13; 15:28; Luke 17:12-14). Therefore, we might question whether physical contact is simply a common practice and not a spiritual law. Yet, we might argue spiritual contact is essential, even if physical contact is not.
Because we are primarily spiritual beings, we interact spiritually, often without being aware of it and regardless of physical distance. When we interact with someone, our spirits make contact whether we’re praying for them, comforting them, advising them or simply talking with them. Our spirits interact, even if we’re not consciously aware of it happening.
Unless we interact physically or spiritually, however, nothing can be imparted. This is the spiritual law of contact.