Many people have an understanding of who Jesus claimed to be and they may have a familiarity with His teaching, but how many have truly connected with Him?

Jesus was traveling to the home of a synagogue official whose daughter was gravely ill. He desperately pleaded with Jesus to come and heal his daughter. Jesus agreed to his request and as they proceeded to his house a large crowd accompanied them:

And He went off with him; and a large crowd was following Him and pressing in on Him. (Mark 5:24)

The phrase pressing in conveys the idea of squeezing in on all sides. As this crowd was proceeding along, there was another person who wanted to see Jesus:

A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but instead had become worse –  after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. For she thought, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.” (Mark 5:25-28)

She was desperate and willing to reach out and touch Jesus. You may have walked with Jesus for many years, but have you touched Him? Could it be that the situation is desperate, but the saints are not? Her act however, did not go unnoticed:

And immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that power from Him had gone out, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My garments?”  (Mark 5:30)

The evidence that you have truly touched Jesus is that you receive His power. This may be the power to have peace in the midst of the storm. It may be the power to persevere in the face of adversity. It may be the power to bring healing to your body and soul.

But what if the circumstances don’t turn out the way you desire? Jesus gives us the power of His grace:

And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Do you know the power of His grace? The disciples were mystified by Jesus’ question:

And His disciples said to Him, “You see the crowd pressing in on You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’”  (Mark 5:31)

Jesus looked at woman who was healed and she came and fell down before Him. Jesus confirmed her experience and gave her the following promise:

And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be cured of your disease.” (Mark 5:34)

Have you laid hold of Jesus? This is not merely brushing up against Jesus, but have you touched HIm? You can receive His power and find healing as you touch the master.

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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