bump or touch?

He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”

     “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”

     But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. (Mark 5:30-32)

His question revealed that someone had done far more than press upon him and crush him.  Someone had made such contact with him as to draw the answer of power out of him.  His question proved that he knew the difference between the jostle of a curious mob, and the contact of a soul in need and in faith. (The Great Physician by G. Campbell Morgan)

a bump or a touch?

Jesus knew the difference

the crowds bumped into him

that’s all they really wanted

they weren’t looking for anything more

just curious to see

wanted to get close enough

but not too close

no touch was necessary

just a little nudge would do

quick and easy

no fuss, no muss

nothing crazy

 

but the woman wanted more

so she reached out and touched him

which is a different proposition altogether

her desire came from a longing heart

from a hunger for genuine encounter

and a deep yearning for wholeness

for real transformation

a touch is risky

it takes guts

and maybe a little desperation

because once you are touched by Jesus

you are never the same again

 

so each day

the choice is also mine

will i be like the crowd

and settle for a bump

will i rush in and rush out

leaving no time and space

for a face to face encounter

or will i work my way through the crowd

of worries and fears and distractions

that press upon my heart and soul

and reach out for more

for a touch

 

so often it seems

that if i’m really honest

i’m just looking for a bump

when a touch is what

my heart most longs for

O God help me to not just settle

to not stop short

of what you desire most for me

a touch that will change me to the core

that will help me to know that i am not

what the world around me tells me i am

but that i am yours and therefore

i am loved