Massage has health and wellness benefits, but is it mentioned in the Bible? While ancient practices of anointing and touch are present in Scripture, we’ll look into how these relate to the idea of massage and its place today.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Bad Influences
What Does The Bible Say About Massage
Psalm 23:2
“He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters”
This verse speaks of God’s provision and guidance in finding rest and tranquility. Just as a massage brings relaxation and relief to the body, God’s presence and care can bring a sense of peace and rejuvenation to our souls.
As we surrender to God and allow Him to lead us to places of rest, He can restore and refresh us, bringing healing to our weary hearts and minds.
Matthew 11:28
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Jesus invites those who are tired and burdened to come to Him for rest. In the same way, a massage can provide relief and release tension from our bodies, Jesus offers comfort and solace for our weary souls.
In the midst of life’s challenges and struggles, we can find rest and renewal in His presence. As we lean on Him and cast our cares upon Him, He will bring rest to our spirits and grant us peace that surpasses all understanding.
Mark 6:31
“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.'”
Jesus recognized the need for solitude and rejuvenation. Just as a massage provides a break from the busyness of life, Jesus invites us to find moments of stillness and rest in His presence.
By intentionally withdrawing from the demands of the world and seeking quiet moments with Jesus, we can experience spiritual refreshment and find strength to continue on our journey.
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
This verse reminds us that when we place our trust in the Lord, He will restore and renew our strength. Just as a massage can invigorate our physical bodies, placing our hope in God’s promises can revitalize our souls.
When we rely on the Lord’s guidance and draw upon His limitless power, we can face life’s challenges with endurance and resilience, knowing that He will sustain us and uplift us through every season of life.
Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
This verse emphasizes the desire for inner renewal and cleansing. Just as a massage can relax and rejuvenate our physical bodies, the psalmist yearns for God to renew his spirit and purify his heart.
When we acknowledge our need for spiritual rejuvenation and ask God to cleanse and refresh our innermost being, He will bring restoration and transformation, making us steadfast in our faith and devotion to Him.
Psalm 139:23-24
“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
This psalm is a cry for self-examination and surrender to God’s leading. Just as a massage can relax tense muscles and release physical tension, the psalmist invites God to search his heart, reveal any areas of offense, and guide him onto the path of eternal life.
When we humbly submit ourselves to God’s scrutiny and allow Him to expose areas of sin or worry, He can provide healing and bring us into alignment with His perfect will for our lives.
Psalm 61:2
“From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
This verse expresses a longing for divine guidance and strength. Just as a massage therapist can provide physical support and relief, the psalmist cries out to God to lead him to the firm foundation and security found in Him.
In times when our hearts grow weary or faint, we can call upon God to lead us to a place of greater stability and trust in Him. He is our refuge and anchor amidst the storms of life.
2 Corinthians 4:16
“Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”
This verse encourages believers to persevere in their faith, knowing that though our physical bodies may weaken, our spirits can be continually renewed by God. Just as a massage can alleviate physical tension, our inner being can find rejuvenation through God’s daily work in our lives.
As we stay connected to Him through prayer, His Word, and fellowship with other believers, God’s transformative power can bring spiritual renewal and strengthen us to face each day with hope and resilience.
Psalm 103:5
“who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”
This verse speaks of God’s ability to satisfy and renew us. Just as a massage can bring relief to tired muscles, God can satisfy the longings of our hearts and bring renewal to our whole being.
When we seek fulfillment in Him and align our desires with His will, He is faithful to provide what we truly need, leading us to a place of spiritual refreshment and vitality.
Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you.”
This verse assures us of God’s promise to grant perfect peace to those who place their trust in Him. Just as a massage can release tension from our bodies, entrusting our minds to God and fixing our thoughts on Him can bring a deep sense of tranquility and calm.
When we choose to rely on God’s faithfulness, casting our cares upon Him, we can experience a peace that surpasses all understanding, even in the midst of life’s challenges and uncertainties.
Psalm 143:10
“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”
This verse expresses a desire for God’s guidance and instruction. Just as a massage therapist can help align the body’s muscles, the psalmist seeks God’s teaching and leading to bring stability and balance to his life.
When we humble ourselves before God and ask Him to reveal His will for our lives, His Spirit can guide us on a path of righteousness and lead us to the firm foundation of His truth.
Lamentations 3:22-23
“Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”
These verses remind us of God’s faithfulness and unwavering love. Just as a massage can bring relief and relaxation, God’s compassion and faithfulness are renewed every morning, bringing comfort and restoration to our weary souls.
When we rest in the assurance of His love and hold onto His promises, we can find solace and strength in the knowledge that His grace is always available to us, sustaining us through every season of life.
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
This verse proclaims the transformative power of being in Christ. Just as a massage can release tension and bring about a sense of renewal, when we surrender our lives to Jesus and become His followers, He makes us new creatures.
Through His sacrifice on the cross, our old self is crucified, and we are granted newness of life. In Christ, we find forgiveness, restoration, and the opportunity to live in alignment with God’s perfect plan for us.
Psalm 62:1-2
“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”
This psalm expresses the psalmist’s trust and reliance on God for rest and salvation. Just as a massage provides a sense of physical relief, the psalmist finds rest and security in the steadfastness and faithfulness of God.
When we place our faith in Him and recognize His unfailing love and protection, we can experience a deep-rooted peace that keeps us steady and unshaken, regardless of the storms that may come our way.
Psalm 119:50
“My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.”
This verse declares the psalmist’s confidence in God’s promises as a source of comfort and preservation. Just as a massage can alleviate physical discomfort, the psalmist finds solace in the assurance of God’s unfailing word.
In times of suffering or hardship, we can find comfort and strength in turning to God’s promises. His faithfulness and provision will sustain us and preserve our lives, bringing healing and restoration to our wounded hearts.
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
This verse reminds us of the power we have through Christ’s strength. Just as a massage can invigorate and energize our bodies, Christ empowers us to overcome challenges and accomplish all things through Him.
When we lean on His grace and rely on His guidance, He equips us with the necessary strength and ability to face any situation, knowing that nothing is impossible with Him by our side.
1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
This verse encourages us to release our worries and anxieties to God, knowing that He cares deeply for us. Just as a massage can relieve tension and promote a sense of relaxation, when we surrender our burdens to God, He provides comfort and peace.
As we cast our cares upon Him and trust in His provision, we can find serenity in His loving care and experience His faithfulness in carrying our burdens and guiding us through every trial.
Jeremiah 31:25
“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”
This verse reveals God’s promise to refresh and satisfy those who are tired and weary. Just as a massage can rejuvenate our physical bodies, God offers renewal and nourishment to our weary souls.
When we come to Him in our weariness and seek His presence, He will provide the rest and restoration we need. His love is sufficient to replenish our strength and satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts.
Isaiah 41:10
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
This verse reassures us of God’s presence and support in the midst of fear and discouragement. Just as a massage therapist can provide physical stability and support, God promises to strengthen, help, and uphold us with His righteous hand.
When we face challenges or uncertainties, we can find comfort and courage in knowing that God is with us. He will empower us to overcome adversity and remain steadfast in our faith.
Psalm 16:11
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
This verse highlights the joy and fulfillment found in God’s presence. Just as a massage can bring pleasure and relieve tension, being in God’s presence fills us with lasting joy and brings satisfaction to our souls.
As we seek to walk in alignment with His will and experience the intimacy of a relationship with Him, He will guide us along the path of life, granting us an abundance of joy and spiritual pleasures that surpass any temporal satisfaction.
Isaiah 30:15
“This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.'”
This verse emphasizes the importance of repentance, rest, and trust in God. Just as a massage can promote physical well-being, turning to God with a repentant heart, resting in His promises, and trusting in His faithfulness brings about salvation and spiritual strength.
When we resist the tendency to rely on our own efforts and instead surrender to God’s leading, we can experience the fullness of His salvation and find strength in the security of His love.
Psalm 27:14
“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.”
This verse encourages us to patiently wait upon the Lord. Just as a massage therapist may ask us to wait for the tension to be released, God calls us to be strong and take heart as we trust in His timing and guidance.
When we surrender our desire for immediate results and place our hope in God’s perfect plan, He will strengthen us and provide us with the endurance needed to wait faithfully for His purposes to unfold.
Isaiah 43:19
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
This verse declares God’s ability to bring about newness and transformation. Just as a massage therapist can release tension and promote circulation, God promises to make a way in the most challenging and desolate circumstances of our lives.
When we open our hearts to His leading, God can bring about unexpected breakthroughs and provide streams of living water in places of dryness and despair, resulting in newness and abundance.