“Who touched my clothes?” – Mark 5:30
When we are sick, when we are tired, when we are hopeless, we will go to great lengths to find healing and hope. When a woman who had been sick for twelve years heard that Jesus was coming to her community, she made sure that she would be able to get close to him and perhaps find healing in his presence.
When Jesus arrived, there was a great crowd of people gathered around him, including his disciples. A leader of the synagogue had asked Jesus to go and heal his daughter. Jesus and the crowd went to heal the young girl. Because of the great crowd, the sick woman found it extremely difficult to approach Jesus. She wanted nothing more than to be healed, and no obstacle would stand in her way. She approached the crowd and began to push her way through. Eventually, she got close enough to Jesus to reach out and touch his clothes.
Jesus was moved by the actions and faith of this sick woman. She wanted nothing more than to be healed and she knew Jesus was her hope. Jesus, full of compassion, told her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” (Mark 6:34)
Like the sick woman that reached out to Jesus for healing, many of us carry great burdens. Sickness, pain, and worry weigh heavy on our souls. Jesus still offers healing and peace to those who wish to be healed and whose faith will lead them to reach out and touch Jesus. There are no barriers between us and Jesus. We can come to Jesus and, in compassion, he will come to us. This is the gift of our faith that takes away our fear and brings us hope.
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
