Lord's Day Devotion - "Only a Touch Away" - (Mark 6)

 When you are jostled in a crowd, you usually don't ask, "Who touched me?"  But Jesus did so in the case of the woman with the twelve year issue of blood.  She touched the hem of Jesus' garment and was healed.  Jesus immediately knew the touch of faith that had healed the woman.

It is notable then, that by the time we read to the end of Mark 6, the throngs of people jostled Jesus again.  This time was somewhat different as this time the people begged permission to touch His garments.

"And wherever He went - into villages, towns or countryside - they placed the sick in marketplaces.  They begged Him to let them touch even the edge of His cloak, and all who touched Him were healed" (Mark 6:56 NIV).

The sick meant business.  Faith didn't necessarily feature in here, at least Jesus didn't mention it like He did the woman who had suffered for all those years.  Some of these sick in the marketplace may have had faith, or may have been curious but skeptical but still desparate and miserable enough to have a speck of hope enough to seek that healing touch.

I used to think, if the power went out from Jesus, then He must have been diminished and that's why He knew the power had gone out.  BUT because He is God, this cannot be true.  Jesus is the same yesterday and today and tomorrow.  Jesus is constantly a full power bank, if you will, of God's almighty power that never ever runs out (see Hebrews 13:8).

He proved it by allowing Himself to go to the cross.  Again, His compassion, mercy, grace and above all, His love, motivated Him to go through with all that pain and suffering so that we, in our sinful, helpless state, can reach out and touch Him in faith for that salvation He so freely offers.  The healing of our souls is only 'a touch away'.

Many of us who are followers of Jesus Christ have touched Him and have been made whole.  This Lord's Day we remember Him in His death and resurrection.  This colossal, pivotal, momentous moment in time.  His death has brought us life (see Romans 6:23).

This Lord's Day, reach for and partake of that broken bread, then for that cup of wine in remembrance of this man from Galilee who was fully man and fully God.  Thank and praise Him for your salvation, then go on your way rejoicing and serving Him until He comes or death swallows you and you go to be with Him forever before the rest of us get there.

Lord Jesus, You forgave my sin when I reached out and touched You in faith.  Your death brought me life.  I give You my thanks and praise.  We rejoice in our healing and salvation and in your resurrection power.  Thank You for Your compassion, mercy, grace and love, which you bestowed upon all mankind in general, and for me, in particular.  Together with my brothers and sisters-in-Christ we sing Your praises and give You are grateful thanks.  In Your name Lord Jesus, we rejoice and are glad.  Amen.

                                                   ~ ERC  July 2025 ~

Based on Mark 6:53-56 comparing with Mark 5:24-34 especially verse 30 (NIV).

Sing, Oh I Love That Man of Galilee, along with Debbyshine.