In Mark 5, we are told of a woman struggling with an affliction for twelve years. She went to many doctors, spent what she had hoping for improvement, but none of that helped. She was desperate. Then she heard about Jesus. Healings. Miracles of a nature convincing her He could and would actually deliver. When she heard Jesus was near, she squeezed through the crowd and, from behind, “touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague” (Mark 5:27-29).
When Jesus, knowing power had gone out of Him, asked who had touched Him, His disciples remonstrated saying, “Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?” (Mark 5:31). Many thronged Him, meaning that others also touched Jesus. This woman, however, touched Jesus with faith—faith that Jesus could and actually would heal her. In fact, Jesus said to her, “Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague” (Mark 5:34).
It’s the touch with faith, believing in Jesus, that mattered. Prior to this account, others had touched Jesus in faith and were healed. “For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues” (Mark 3:10). And after this woman’s healing encounter, we read that others also touched Jesus in faith. “And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole” (Mark 6:56).
On the day when the woman touched Jesus, crowds thronged Him. Inevitably, many made physical contact but healing was not realized by the many. They touched Him but not with a faith touch. So, we see it is not simply brushing up against Jesus that makes a difference; it’s the believing touch. It’s reaching to Jesus with faith that He will deliver.
If you are in a Christian community, you will inevitably brush up against Jesus. But consider for a moment whether you’ve ever reached out to touch Jesus in faith. Do you believe? Do you believe Jesus will make a difference if you but touch Him? In what area of life do you need a delivering touch?
Yes, we are told to believe according to the will of God, and this is vital. Yet, if we don’t pursue God, we may sink into a passivity that never rises to faith. We could even fall into an easy-believism where we say we believe but don’t actually depend on Jesus to meet a given need.
Look to Jesus, the author of faith (Heb. 12:2). As you seek the Lord, the Spirit of the Lord will stir you with what you can trust Him to provide. When the Spirit stirs you to trust in Jesus for a given matter, it is God’s will. Then you may reach out in faith and touch Jesus with confidence He will deliver. Many pray, but when the Spirit stirs us to get to Jesus, we must pray believing. Believe not only that Jesus can answer but that He will.
John Van Gelderen
Post Author
Amen 🙏
Reread the letters Hudson Taylor wrote to his sister and mother and colleagues in the chapter “The Exchanged Life”…twice. Thank you for reminding me when you were here. Judy just finished reading Jonathan Goforth. What suffering he and his wife endured for The Gospel. He lived, as you know, to see revival in China. We prayed this morning for you and that you will live to see great revival.
Both those men have greatly blessed my life. Thank you for praying. It was great to see you all last week!
Just some thoughts, there were others in the crowd who needed a touch from Jesus but did not reach out and touch Jesus.
1. They were fearful of Jesus.
“What if He doesn’t like my touch, and
gets angry with me or embarrasses
me?”
2. I’m not good enough to touch Jesus.
3. How many times do we as Christians
withdraw from Jesus for the same
reasons?
HE longs for our touch and fellowship/
relationship.
I am sad that I often break our fellowship, but I can never break our relationship. Savior and child. : )
Good thoughts. Thank you!
We have some who healing stopped when the apostles died. I won’t mention any names but have seen many who have been or are being healed. And of course there is the time when we must all leave these bodies and experience death. But until the trumpet is blown and we are raptured out of here we will see our Lord still in the act of mercy healing others that come to Him.
Amen and Amen
Yes, Amen!