Who Touched Me? (original post 4/23/20)

There was a crowd of people surrounding Jesus. Many people were touching him way before she showed up, but their touch had no significance.

Who touched me?

Today, I want to talk about a woman who was unknown and un-named in the Bible. She had suffered for 12 agonizing years with an illness. For twelve years she dealt with distress, shame, feeling unworthy, unclean, unimportant, being an outcast, and financial burdens. She tried everything to overcome and be delivered out of her situation until one day, she heard about Jesus. Despite traditions-those ceremonial laws that would have her to stay at home and practice social distancing with others- she decided she was going to see Jesus. She wanted to remain inconspicuous because she knew that she was out of place. Her place was to stay at home, but she violated traditions, set aside religion and pressed her way to touch and connect with Jesus.

There was a crowd of people surrounding Jesus. Many people were touching him way before she showed up, but their touch had no significance. What do I mean? Some of us attend church (well not lately, but you know what I mean); we watch and listen to sermons through vast media, and we read books and articles about Jesus. Yet, we are not connecting with Christ. We surround ourselves with religious traditions and we go through the motions of seeking God’s hands and not His face. We touch Jesus with words of prayer, but our hearts are far from Him. She touched him with a purpose and Jesus felt it. Out of all the people surrounding Him with cries, needs, wants, and lip service, he recognized the touch of one woman. Her touch was different. Her touch drew power out of Him. That same power healed her. After all, she had nothing to lose but all to gain. She didn’t attend church because she could not. She didn’t want to be seen because she was not welcomed or allowed in public settings. Nevertheless, she was determined to make a connection with Jesus. Her faith compelled her to seek Him and when she found Him, she touched Him and was instantly healed. She literally caused Jesus to stop and ask, “Who touched me?” He was on his way to heal Jairus’ daughter, but her persistence made Him take notice of her faith.

How many of us have touched Jesus to the point where He has stopped to ask, “Who touched me?” Have we made a true connection with Christ lately? Are we a part of the crowd that attempts to touch Jesus everyday with repetitious prayers or works of the flesh? What is our purpose for seeking Him? Do we really want to be made whole? Do we want a true relationship with Him? What do we stand to gain? What do we have to lose?

You know, Jesus did not just acknowledge this unknown, un-named woman, but after talking to her, He gave her a name. He called her Daughter. He said, “Daughter, your faith has made you whole.” Just hearing that gives me goose bumps. I don’t have to have a name or title. I just want to be His daughter. I want that kind of relationship with Him that when I touch Him, when I connect with Him, and when I pray and seek His face, He will say, “Daughter, your faith has made you whole.”

You might not be able to attend church right now and you might not be able to get out in public. BUT…you can reach out and touch Jesus right where you are. Activate your faith with sincerity and ask God to heal, deliver, and set you free from whatever you are suffering with right now. Believe Him and receive His power. Make that connection. Don’t let Jesus be your last resort. Let Him be your only resort. Trust Him even if you must go to the Doctor-He can use them. Trust Him even if you must take medicine- He will sanctify it through His Word. Trust Him even if you must go to work- He can protect you and cover you with His Blood. He can, and He will do what He said. Go after Jesus with a Purpose. Love on Him because He is always loving on us. Connect with Him and establish a relationship with Him. Touch Him with an obedient spirit. Don’t try to be like the crowd. Be different. Pursue Him like the Daughter with the issue of blood so that He can stop and ask, “Who touched me?”

I Love you all. Be Blessed!