one touch away

September 2020 Blog

       For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” (Mark 5:28 ESV)

Jesus arrived on the shore of a lake and a large crowd assembled around him.  In the crowd was an important leader of a local synagogue named Jairus.  He fell at Jesus’ feet and pleaded with him to come to his house and heal his daughter. So Jesus went with him.

The large crowd followed Jesus and pressed around him.Among those surrounding Jesus was a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years.She had sought treatment from many doctors and spent all that she had. But instead of getting better, she became worse.  She was physically exhausted and socially ostracized. In Jewish culture she was unclean. She was in fear of being recognized in the crowd. But she had heard that Jesus said no one is unlovable. So she chose to believe in Jesus and pushed her way through the crowd saying, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.”

And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.  Jesus also felt her touch. At once, Jesus realized that power had gone out from him and he asked who had touched him.  Knowing what had happened to her, the woman came and fell at his feet. Trembling with fear, she told him the whole truth and Jesus replied, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

Did you know that your fingertips are one of the most sensitive areas of your body?  When God created you, he didn’t place touch receptors randomly throughout your body.  He placed them more densely in places where they are most needed. Each fingertip has over 3,000 touch receptors which carry messages to your brain at a speed of 76 m/s or about 170 mph! Think about how touch receptors protect you from being badly burned. As soon as you touch a hot flame, before you even have time to think about it, you remove your hand away from the fire. Massage therapists use touch receptors to manually identify areas that need more or less pressure. Parents apply a soothing touch to calm their crying baby. The visually impaired rely on their sense of touch when using a cane to delineate unfamiliar surroundings and avoid obstacles. Their touch receptors also help them read Braille and recognize faces and objects.

Have you ever felt beyond hope?  Seeking help for years, but to no avail?  Physically exhausted, socially ostracized, or unloved?  Remember back to the beginning of this story. Where was Jesus going?  To the house of Jairus, an important man in the community. Why was Jesus going there? To heal Jairus’ daughter. Did Jesus take the time to stop and acknowledge the woman who reached out to Him? Yes! Jesus spoke with her and healed her. Believe like she did, that in the eyes of Jesus, no one is unlovable.  Reach out to Jesus and be healed!  He is just one touch away!