Devotion - Monday, March 24

In Mark 5 we read of the woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years.  She had seen many doctors, but nothing helped her.  When she heard that Jesus was coming to her village, she decided that all she needed to do was to touch the hem of his garments and she would be made well.

Jesus is walking through the crowd, people are pressing upon him from every side, but still this woman manages to get close enough to do as she planned.  Immediately, she is made well.

Jesus, "perceiving in himself that power had gone forth from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, 'Who touched my garments?'"  The disciples pointed out that many people were touching him.  But Jesus knew that this touch was different.

How many will crowd around Jesus this day,bumping into him and pressing themselves against him?  Of those who do so, how many will touch Jesus, with the same conviction, the same faith, the same confidence as the women spoken of in Mark 5?

It is very popular to crowd around Jesus.  It is completely admirable to get as close to him as possible.  But turning to him with the trust and confidence and faith of the woman with the flow of blood is not so easy.  She is likely to have been the  type who remained at the foot of the cross when all the others had deserted.

As we continue our Lenten pilgrimage, it might help to think of the manner in which we encounter Jesus.  Are we merely among the throng, out to see what all the excitement is about?  Or do we go, knowing the ability of this one to change everything about our lives?