“And Jesus said, ‘Who was it that touched me?’” (Luke 8:45)

Many persons can share their version of a sighting of someone from the rich and famous. Our society longs to be near renowned persons, which is why will we pay excessive prices for a ticket to attend concerts of individuals or groups of whom we already own their recordings.  People of means will spend huge sums of money to possess an item that was owned or worn by a star.  If they happen to have died, the price is that much higher. A baseball jersey worn by New York Yankees Babe Ruth, circa 1920, sold for more than $4.4 million in 2012.  According to the California based seller, it established a record for any item of sports memorabilia. The cream-colored, silk-satin wedding dress which Elizabeth Taylor wore for the first of her eight marriages sold for around $188,175 in 2013. And, the well-remembered blue-and-white gingham dress worn by Hollywood star Judy Garland who played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz sold at auction for more than $1.5million in November, 2015.

Recently, as I was listening to a sports radio talk show – the hosts were discussing the passing of Arnold Palmer, the American professional golfer regarded as one of the greatest in that sport’s history. Conversations centered around his popularity and how he was an important trailblazer, one of the first superstars of the early age of televised sports as far back as the 1950’s. In the midst of the memories and stories they shared, the question was asked if any of them had ever met this king of golf.  One of the hosts spoke up and stated that one time while he was attending a national event, he passed by and brushed the shirt of one whom only minutes later he came to realize was Palmer. He said to this day he occasionally tells the story of how he once had a brush with fame by touching the sleeve of one so well-known. Our society will covet almost anything which came in contact with stardom.

One of the most moving stories in scripture involved a woman who suffered from bleeding for twelve years. In her day, she would have been considered an outcast from society. On one occasion, when Jesus was on His way to minister to a dying girl, He had to make His way through the crowds of people. This woman came up behind Him, touched the edge of His garment, and was immediately healed (Luke 8:42-45). “‘Who touched me?’ Jesus asked. Everyone denied it, and Peter said, ‘Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you.’ But Jesus said, ‘Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.’ When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed. ‘Daughter,’ he said to her, ‘your faith has made you well. Go in peace’” (Luke 8:46-48). The woman was obviously a person of great conviction.

Contrast this expression of faith with the lack of it shown by a doubting disciple who knew Jesus well. After His death and resurrection, Jesus had appeared to some of the Chosen. “One of the twelve disciples, Thomas, was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, ‘We have seen the Lord!’ But he replied, ‘I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.’ Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. ‘Peace be with you,’ he said. Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!’” (John 20:24-27).  So the question for us becomes – who are we? Do we humbly reach out to touch Jesus with the faith of the sick woman? Have we come to know Him in a personal way but, like Thomas, allow doubt to enter into our relationship? Are we like the people in the crowd who bump up against Him but never reach out with enough belief to receive His transforming power? Or do we simply want to follow His stardom because of what we might gain in return? Consider how He has touched your life?  Rather than a simple, fleeting brush with fame . . . the application of your unwavering faith will lead you to a meeting with destiny.

REFLECTION: With whom do you most identify in this scriptural passages? Have you ever reached out figuratively to touch the hem of Jesus’ robe? How does the example of this woman encourage you as you move along in your faith journey?

A NEW LOOKUP  DEVOTION IS UPLOADED EACH WEEK. THE NEXT WEEKLY POSTING WILL BE ON SAT., OCTOBER 15, 2016.  COMMENTS ARE WELCOMED.