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Touching Jesus
'THERE WAS A WOMAN IN THE CROWD...' MARK 5:25
Mark records, 'There was a woman in the crowd who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years.' She is desperate and her desperation births an idea - 'She had heard about Jesus...' (v27 NLT).
Jesus is coming to town. By invitation of the synagogue ruler. Odd to find the ruler and the woman in the same story. He's powerful. She's pitiful. But his daughter is dying. Tragedy levels social topography.
'"If I just touch His clothing, I will be healed"' (v28 TLB). So she scurries through the crowd. Knees bump her ribs. "Move out of the way!" someone shouts. She doesn't care and doesn't stop. Jesus' robe is in sight. She extends her hand. 'Immediately...she could feel that she had been healed!' (v29 NLT). She feels power enter. Jesus feels power exit. 'Jesus...asked, "Who touched My clothes?' (v30 TLB). Next we read: 'The woman...knowing she was the one...knelt before Him, and gave Him the whole story' (Mark 5:33 TM).
Wow! How long had it been since someone listened to her story? With the town bishop waiting, a child dying and a crowd pressing, He makes time for a woman on the fringe. Using a term He gives to no one else He says, '"Daughter, your faith has made you well..."' (v34 NLT).
And we have been her, haven't we? Illness took her strength. What took yours? Red ink? Hard drink? Late nights in the wrong arms? Long days in the wrong job? Pregnant too soon? Too often? Is her hand your hand? If so, take heart. Your family may shun it. Society may avoid it. But Christ? He wants to touch it. Yes, yours is the hand He loves to hold!
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Rocco Morelli
Ministries Intl.
PO Box 135336
Clermont, Florida
34713
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