Word@Work 060 - Mark 5:30-34
Published: Tue, 02/12/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 5:30-34 At once Jesus realised that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?" "You see the people crowding against you," his disciples answered, "and yet you can ask, 'Who touched me?' " But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." (NIV)
It does not take much imagination to know that there is a difference between a touch, and a 'touch'. The casual and accidental touch means nothing more than carelessness; but the intentional touch of a blind person, a lover, or a mother to a child is special. It is not the moment of physical contact that matters, but the desire for it and the meaning it holds. Jesus, who was jostled and brushed by many, knew the moment the woman reached out to touch him - and why!
Mark keeps on telling us of people who wanted to respond to Jesus in faith (and the disciples who kept on missing the point!). In this episode, the indifference of his followers was in stark contrast to the bold conviction of the sick woman. She had such faith in Jesus, as we saw yesterday, that she dared to push through the crowd. She ignored her ritual uncleanness which had made her a social leper, because she saw that Jesus Himself was the light at the end of her tunnel. Her faith was simple and direct. We know this is so because she did something about it.
It is just the same today. Many will have their 'brush with religion' at funerals or Christmas. Few will be so convinced that Jesus is the answer ... but those who are, will be amply rewarded. Our faith in Jesus should encourage others to take hold of all that Jesus offers (look at Matthew 11v12). Why are we so embarrassed by those whose zeal oversteps our nice conventions? Is it that we have forgotten what it is like to be so lost, that we are desperate to be found; so hopeless, that we believe it is Jesus who offers the only hope?
Prayer: Dear loving Lord, thank you for the bold enthusiasm of those who look to you for everything. Help me to see that you have done everything for me, that I may be bold to keep on reaching out to Jesus - and encourage others to seize hold of Him too. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
It does not take much imagination to know that there is a difference between a touch, and a 'touch'. The casual and accidental touch means nothing more than carelessness; but the intentional touch of a blind person, a lover, or a mother to a child is special. It is not the moment of physical contact that matters, but the desire for it and the meaning it holds. Jesus, who was jostled and brushed by many, knew the moment the woman reached out to touch him - and why!
Mark keeps on telling us of people who wanted to respond to Jesus in faith (and the disciples who kept on missing the point!). In this episode, the indifference of his followers was in stark contrast to the bold conviction of the sick woman. She had such faith in Jesus, as we saw yesterday, that she dared to push through the crowd. She ignored her ritual uncleanness which had made her a social leper, because she saw that Jesus Himself was the light at the end of her tunnel. Her faith was simple and direct. We know this is so because she did something about it.
It is just the same today. Many will have their 'brush with religion' at funerals or Christmas. Few will be so convinced that Jesus is the answer ... but those who are, will be amply rewarded. Our faith in Jesus should encourage others to take hold of all that Jesus offers (look at Matthew 11v12). Why are we so embarrassed by those whose zeal oversteps our nice conventions? Is it that we have forgotten what it is like to be so lost, that we are desperate to be found; so hopeless, that we believe it is Jesus who offers the only hope?
Prayer: Dear loving Lord, thank you for the bold enthusiasm of those who look to you for everything. Help me to see that you have done everything for me, that I may be bold to keep on reaching out to Jesus - and encourage others to seize hold of Him too. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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