Touching Jesus

Precious Lord, in my need, many years did I bleed;
I reach out, and I touch – touch your hem.
I am healed, like the rest; lepers cleansed, children blest.
Touch your hem, precious Lord, make me whole!

By the well, as I drew, there to drink, I drank you.
I am down, I am out, I am naught.
But you stop, and you speak; you’re the One whom we seek;
Our lives touch, precious Lord, and I’m whole!

At the edge, of the town, there I knelt, to the ground.
Pour the nard, wipe your feet, with my hair.
While you dine, on the bread, through my tears, see you dead
Precious Lord, fragrant love, in the air!

Easter morn, through my tears, call my name, bring me near,
And I hear, and I look, and I hope.
Over cross, over death, bringing life, drawing breath;
Precious Lord, once again, you are whole!

Easter Eve, I’m away; you were there, but I say,
Let me see, let me touch, let me know.
Once again, there you are; fingertips touch your scars;
In my heart, precious Lord, now I know!

Precious Lord, still your hands, bear your wounds, many lands:
Some are lost, some are least, some are hurt,
Let me touch you in deed, as I touch those in need;
Use my hands, Precious Lord, make them whole!

Text: David R. Weiss, b. 1959 (text, 2006, © 2008 David R. Weiss)
Tune: Thomas A. Dorsey, 1899-1993, Precious Lord (Precious Lord, take my hand, With One Voice 731 – © 1938 Unichappell Music Inc., renewed; admin. Hal Leonard Corp.)

Permission is given to photocopy Touching Jesus for use in worship.

Author’s Note: Touching Jesus lifts up a variety of images of persons touching Jesus: the woman with the flow of blood (Mark 5: 25-34); the woman at the well (John 4: 4-29); the anointing at Bethany (John 12:1-8); Mary Magdalene at the tomb on Easter morning (John 20: 1-18); and Thomas’ Easter encounter (John 20: 19-29). Verse 6 suggests that we, too, touch Jesus whenever we help heal the wounds of the world today.