Who Touched Me?

Note: Some notes from Wayne Dority's message on Mark 8 and a men's devotion on Luke 8

Title: Who Touched Me?

Theme: We are not interrupting God with our request.

Text: Luke 8:40 - 56

Opening Text

Mark 5:21-43 NKJV Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. (22) And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet (23) and begged Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live." (24) So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him. (25) Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, (26) and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. (27) When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. (28) For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." (29) Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. (30) And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?" (31) But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, Who touched Me?' " (32) And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. (33) But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. (34) And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction." (35) While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" (36) As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe." (37) And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. (38) Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. (39) When He came in, He said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping." (40) And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. (41) Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." (42) Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. (43) But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.

Introduction

By this time in Jesus ministry the people were following him every where he went. There were times he even had to launch out in a boat just to teach. There were thousands of people who would follow him in a desert looking for a healing or just listening. Now where ever he went people “thronged” him. They pressed him. He could hardly move. Here is verse 40 Jesus comes into the city and the people are waiting on him. We are introduced to a man who is the ruler of the synagogue. This meant that he was probably had the highest authority in the city. It also meant that approaching Jesus he was risking his rulership and respect of the religious leaders. Yet he has a sick daughter. She lay dying. It is interested to see his approach “he fell down at Jesus’ feet, and besought (begged) him that he would come into his house.” He fell down on his face and begged him to come. He knew that if he could only get Jesus to his house.

Jesus continually faced competing calls for his attention. When a man of influence approached him with urgency and humility to request help for his sick child, Jesus set out to offer assistance. The ever-present crowd made progress difficult. Suddenly, in the midst of a throng of people, Jesus stopped and asked, “Who touched me?” (Luke 8:45). Of course, many people had bumped and brushed against him. But Jesus sensed a different kind of touch. Someone had reached out in faith.