Reports about Jesus

Daily Reading:  Mark 5

If I touch even his garments, I will be made well. (Mark 5.28)

Devotional Thought:  She was desperate.  In constant pain, dead broke, ostracized by her community, with a big dose of self-loathing, she had given up all hope.  But then she “heard the reports about Jesus” and something stirred in her breast.  She decided: "I’m going to touch him."  She pressed through the pain, through the angry glares, through the impenetrable crowd.  She pressed through all the obstacles, reached out, and touched him.  She touched Jesus!  Instantly she was healed.

Three questions come to my mind as I read this story:

·       Am I sharing “reports” about Jesus so that desperate souls may hear?  That poor woman would have lived her life and died in her pain if she had not heard the reports about Jesus.  Someone believed enough.  Someone cared enough.  Their reports changed her life!  Whose life can you change?

·       Am I myself desperate for Jesus’ touch?  You may be like the woman in this story.  Vexed by an uncertain future, by a painful past, or by present despair, you have given up hope.  But now you’ve heard about Jesus.  Will you press through all the barriers to reach out and touch “even his garments” today?

·       In my excitement about Jesus, am I indifferent to the pain of those around me?  Most of those people in the crowd meant her no harm, but in all honesty, they were not helping her either.  We love to go to church and enjoy the uplifting presence of the Lord, yet when we leave church do we remember that all around us there are others desperate for the of touch Jesus?

The reports are true!  If you touch him, you will be made well!

Prayer: Lord, I've heard reports about you and I want to touch you.  Help me to press through all the obstacles so that I can touch even your garment and be made well.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 4.1-8

1 Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah

3 But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.

4 Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah

5 Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord.

6 There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord! ”

7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.

8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.