Personal Power

Mark 5:30-32 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” 31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it.
 
WHEN we read Genesis 3, we learn the fallen Adam and Eve hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. But the LORD God called out to them,  “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:8-9) The all-knowing LORD did not ask the question to find them. He wanted the couple to come out of their shameful hiding, so he could begin to restore them – and all mankind – into a new relationship with him. Have you ever had a child do something wrong and then hide from you? Was your first priority to find him, to tell him you still loved him? Connecting the wrong is more effective when it happens under a nurturing parent-child relationship.  
   In a similar way, the Son of God responded to the healed woman. When Jesus asked, “Who torched me?” he surely knew. But he wanted the woman to come out of her hiding. He wanted her to come out of the shame she had felt in her illness. Jesus wanted this daughter of his to enter into a personal relationship with him. Cleansing had ended the curse. All outward shame is gone. No one can call her “Unclean!” again. Physical salvation has come. Come out of hiding, so you can be with Jesus. How loved the woman felt as Jesus touched her, perhaps put his arms around her and assured her God loves her.
   You know Jesus’ healing power is real, don’t you. His power is his essence. He feels it flow out of him. The gospels record one miraculous, power-flowing scene after another. The events happen so quickly in Mark’s gospel, you can easily miss them. Demons go. The blind see. And the deaf hear. Jesus speaks life, and lives are changed forever.
   The wonder of Jesus’ power demonstration is that he didn’t stop – ever. His power is still going into the world right now. Thousands of people confess faith in him each day throughout the world. We hear testimonies of changed lives: A high school boy known for causing trouble has found a new purposeful life. A teen turned from her suicide desires. A family found comfort in their deep sorrow. A 4-year-old boy came to church and is excited for Jesus. A young boy has found peace from his worries. A mom has begun to see joy and hope in her life once again. A teen has been rescued from an abusive home.
   Jesus is right there in the crowd of hurt, hopelessness, pain, doubts, fears, disease and worry. Yes, Jesus walks right into these places. And when you touch him, his real, life-changing power flows from him. The Almighty One then comes to touch you, so you will know how precious you are to him.
   Do you want this in your life? Then go. And do more than touch him. Grab onto him. Hold onto him. Let his power flow to you. Receive his life-giving love.