“You should consider the exciting field of haptics!”

The television reporter excitedly shared the glowing prospects of this new field of study, increasingly offered by leading universities. One expert has described haptics as the science of mediated touch. It combines digital technology with the human sensation of touch. Simplistic examples are a mouse or joystick that enables the user to interact with the computer. The future is bright with innovators seeking to add sensations such as temperature and pressure. Any sensation associated with touch could someday be incorporated into a device. With the explosion of AI and virtual reality, haptics is already a very important field of study and poised to explode with new innovations to facilitate the way we interact with machines and technologies. 

At the heart of this is the importance of the sensation of touch. While we rely upon all of our senses, touch communicates intimacy. Numerous studies have demonstrated the healing power of touch and the importance of infants being nurtured with touch and other tactile sensations to undergo normal psychological development. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, knew this and He dramatically demonstrated this to one of His disciples. Thomas was unwilling to believe that Jesus was resurrected from the dead unless he touched the wounds of His Lord. It did not matter that the other disciples had seen and spoken to the risen Jesus Christ. He needed the confirmation of touch. 

One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” 

John 20:24-25 (NLT)

Thomas soon had his wish granted.

Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. 

John 20:26-28 (NLT)

Touch brings a greater reality. Those who work in the field of haptics know this. Thomas learned it. Thanks be to God that we receive far more than the touch of Jesus Christ when we accept Him as our Lord and Savior. His Holy Spirit indwells within us. He is always touching us because He is part of our soul.

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.

Complete Blogs on WordPress

Complete Blogs Indexed by Bible Verses