September 12, 2021
27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
Mark 5:27-28 KJV
Mark Chapter 5 describes a time in Jesus’s life where he was being recognized by everyone as one who could perform miracles. It starts by telling about the man who was possessed by an “unclean spirit”.
” 9 And he asked him, What is thy name? and he answered, saying, My name is Legion; for we are many. “
Mark 5:9
A legion was the largest unit of the Roman army, consisting of 3,000 to 6,000 soldiers. This man had a legion of demons within him. Jesus was able to cast away those demons into a herd of pigs and the pigs raced away and ran over a cliff and into the sea where they drowned. The people who were feeding the pigs fled from the scene and ran to the city where they told everyone about the man who cast the demons from the possessed man and into pigs who drowned themselves in the sea. The people became frightened of Jesus.
” 17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. “
Mark 5:17
However, the man who was no longer possessed asked Jesus if he could follow him. Jesus, instead, told him to go and tell everyone the great things the Lord had done and that He had compassion on him. The man went out to Decapolis (the Ten Towns) and began to share his story and every man who heard it marveled.
Jesus then travelled to the other side of the Sea of Galilee and was again greeted by a man in need. Jairus had a little daughter who was on the brink of death. Jairus fell at Jesus’s feet and asked him to come and lay a hand on her that she would be healed and live. Jesus agreed and followed Jairus.
As they went on, word traveled that Jesus was there and many people gathered in awe and curiosity. They touched his robes and pushed against each other to get a glimpse. One woman in particular was determined to get close to Jesus. This woman had a bleeding disorder that had been going on for 12 years. She tried every doctor, every remedy, anything she could, but ended up spending all she had and the disease only grew worse. Then she heard about the arrival of Jesus and knew, he was the answer.
” 27 when she heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. “
Mark 5:27-28
The moment she touched his garment, not him, his clothes, she was healed. She could feel that her body had been healed. Even though the woman had only touched his clothes, Jesus instantly knew a miracle had happened.
” 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? “
Mark 5:30
When Jesus asked this, the disciples thought it a joke. They said, there is a crowd here. Everyone is touching you. What do you mean, Who touched me? But Jesus was looking for one in particular. The one who had the faith to believe, all I have to do is touch his clothes and I will be whole. When Jesus found her, huddled and trembling from fear that Jesus was mad at her for what she did, he told her:
” 34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of they plague. “
Mark 5:34
Today, many people are vaguely familiar with Jesus, like the people in the crowd who were just curious about this man. But, nothing in their lives is changed or bettered by this passing acquaintance. It is only faith that releases God’s healing power. Move beyond curiosity. Reach out to Christ in faith. That touch will change your life forever.
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