And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” (Mark 5:31, ESV)
I have always loved the story of the woman who broke the rules and touched the edge of the Lord’s garment. I love her faith, her tenacity, and her humanness. She knew what she needed and went after it – even though it meant breaking Jewish laws. Having suffered for over twelve years and spent all she had, bearing the shame of being unclean, what else did she have to lose?
In the same portion of scripture, we see a temple ruler, Jairus. His life was probably doing fairly well as he had status and servants. But, now his precious daughter lay dying. His was a sudden need. But both came to Jesus. Bam. He tends to level the playing fields of life.
Jairus got to Jesus first and requested he come, which Jesus immediately agreed to do. En route to his house, however, a desperate woman sneaks through the crowd and touches the hem of the Lord’s garment, immediately getting a full healing.
Here’s where it gets interesting. Jesus could have just kept going towards the home with the sick young girl, but instead he stops to ask who touched him. Of course he knew. This rhetorical question was not for his behalf, but for the throng around him. Can you imagine Jairus’ frustration? I mean, he was a leader in the temple – this woman would have been known to be chronically ‘unclean’...and ‘just’ a woman. But Jesus doesn’t prioritize the way we would. He paused and took a moment to minister fully to the woman of faith, letting the crowds hear her testimony.
There are times in our life when we are much like Jairus. Our hearts are tugging on the master with urgency for our needs. We want healing for our loved ones...now! We need provision...yesterday! We want his full attention! Relax. Be at peace. He works things out in His way for his honor and glory and in his own, perfect timing. Trust the Great Physician.
