This is all about being touched by God! Today being the Fourth of July, let us pray that God reaches out and touches “our nation and ALL of its people.” We are, after all, “One Nation Under God…”
Let’s look at the text. Jesus was a rockstar. Wherever Jesus went he always had this “huge crowd” following him around. Imagine taking Donald Trump, Ellen DeGeneres, Justin Bieber, Adelle, and Taylor Swift, mashing them all together and multiplying it by 1000. That’s the kind of “fame” that Jesus experienced during his ministry. It was amazing- it was crazy, it was over the top and over the edge!
Before us, we have this story of “many touches.” In it, Jesus exhibits his “amazing power.” In Mark chapter 5 we see that Jesus heals two women. One girl is but 12 years old and has a life threatening illness and the other is a much older woman and has had a 12 year battle with a horrendous disease.
This story is filled with emotion. There is worry, fear, desperation, crushing disappointment, courage, weeping, laughing and amazement.
And of course, in the middle of it all – stands Jesus.
For all intents and purposes the older woman and the younger girl are both unclean – no one should have anything whatsoever – to do with “them.” Anyone or anything they touch or anyone who touches them – becomes instantly ritually unclean.
The older woman reaches out and she touches the hem of Jesus’ robe and is instantly made clean.
She had an “amazing kind of faith,” she knew, she believed, that if she but touched Jesus, she would be made whole. And, it happened! She was cured! She was cleansed and all from a simple touch.
Jesus himself will confirm her healing and tells her, “Her faith has made her well.”
But isn’t it interesting, that Jesus was able “to feel” or “to sense” the power going out of himself. Who is this? Who has this kind of power? And the text doesn’t even say she touched “him,” but only just the hem of his robe!
What kind of power is this? I tell you, it is the “very power of our God!”
While they are still speaking, they are told that Jairus’ daughter has died. “No need to trouble the Teacher any further.” Except Jesus is not troubled, he wants to help. He desires to “reach out” and to touch the little girl – which he does! It will be another “forbidden touch!” And she is instantly brought back to life!
Two women, two touches, instant healing, I tell you this is “the power of God.”
We all need to be touched. We all need to be healed, we all need to be made whole. And Lord knows, our nation and this crazy world of ours – could use the “touch” of the Almighty’s hand.
I said originally this was about “many touches.” First, the elderly woman touched the hem of Jesus’ robe. Then, Jesus touched the little 12 year old girl and said, “Talitha Cum” in Aramaic. That’s two touches, but what about the crowds that witnessed these miracles, were they too, touched by what had occurred and what they had witnessed? What about the father and the mother of the little girl? What about all those who were mourning her death? Were they likewise touched?
And what of those who heard this story read and repeated orally, were they touched, as well? And finally, what about you? Were you touched by the power of our God? Now pray, that God touches our nation, as well. Amen.