Newspaper Article-July 8, 2012

Touches of Jesus

      One of the amazing things about Jesus’ ministry was the constant unpredictable flow of events that seemed to follow him as each day unfolded. Jesus traveled, sat down and ate, prayed and taught, and healed. Always, Jesus healed. And the crowds came, smothering him with their needs. People came from everywhere, all occupations and lifestyles, and all social and economic levels. They came to be healed, to feel his touch.

      Mark tells in chapter five of two separate events where Jesus was touched for healing and new life. We have heard the story of the synagogue leader, Jarius and his desperate plea to Jesus for the healing of his dying daughter. But just as Mark begins to tell Jarius’ story, he interrupts to bring us another story intertwined within the first. The second story is about the woman who has a serious hemorrhaging problem that had gone on for twelve years. After spending all her money on doctors—Jesus was her last chance.

      So as Jesus was walking through the crowd to Jarius’ house, the woman gets close enough to Jesus to touch his robe. Immediately, she knew she had been healed, and so did Jesus. But he wanted to do more for the woman than just heal her, he wanted to know her personally. So, Jesus looks for her in the crowd, finds her, and speaks to her about her faith that has healed her.

      But you know, Jesus doesn’t want to only heal us, take care of our crises and immediate needs, and then leave us until the next time. Jesus wants to know those who touch him. He wants to know us personally, to be our friend, and to become intimate with us.

      While all this was happening, Jarius received word from home that his daughter had died. There was no reason to bother Jesus any more with the possibility of healing. But as Jesus heard the news and saw the hurt and grief on Jarius’ face, he offered these words, “Don’t be afraid, Jairus. Keep on trusting.” I believe Jesus wanted Jairus to have the same faith in what Jesus could do, as the woman had. Jesus was encouraging Jairus to believe that Jesus’ authority had no limitations.

      At Jarius’ house Jesus threw out all the people who doubted him, and those who laughed at his authority, and taking the little girl by the hand spoke the words, Talitha koum, little girl, get up.” She got up, walked around, and even had something to eat.

      This time we notice that Jesus is the one who reaches out and touches the one needing healing. It works both ways. We pursue God, as he pursues us. Jesus is constantly looking for those who need healing, those who have spent all their resources, and those who are lifeless and hopeless. Jesus always stands ready to reach out and touch us just as he did to the little girl so long ago. Yet, he also waits to feel our touch as we reach toward him as the woman did in expectation of his presence and his gift of healing. The touch of Jesus in our daily lives should be a constant source of encouragement, anticipation, and personal healing.

Rev Tim McConnell, Long’s Chapel UMC, July 8, 2012