Who Touched Me?

God on Monday
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And his disciples said to him, ‘You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, “Who touched me?”’ (Mark 5:31, NRSV) 

Reflection

As a synagogue ruler, Jairus was a revered man.  But he was desperate. So desperate that he appears at the water’s edge as Jesus gets off a boat, falls at Jesus’ feet, and begs Jesus to heal his daughter, who is at death’s door. He has come in person, leaving his daughter’s side, rather than sending a servant.

This is the wider context for the verse above. Jesus was busy. Crowds were following him, clamouring for his attention. Earlier, Jesus’ disciples appeared to need to help him get into the boat, probably because he was exhausted from the pace and intensity of his work. Once on board, he falls fast asleep, despite a mounting storm. But his sleep is interrupted by his terrified disciples.

Once Jesus has calmed the storm and the boat reaches the other side of the lake, he casts out demons, faces an angry crowd, and then boards a boat once again to beat a hasty retreat. He is scarcely off the boat in Capernaum before Jairus demands his attention, initiating what must have been a public parade through the streets towards Jairus’ home.

A revered man and a busy man stride together across Capernaum heading to the next appointment, the next important thing. Suddenly, Jesus stops in his tracks. He casts his eyes about the bustling crowd, looking for somebody. He wants to know who has touched him.

The disciples are dismayed. The parade halts. The fate of the daughter of a synagogue ruler hangs in the balance. Yet Jesus takes time to minister to the one who, unnoticed by the others, had touched him.

Response

Who in your circle of work might have been trying to “touch” you but you have been too busy to notice, or too busy to stop and help?
In the tyranny of important things, how will you give your co-workers the attention they need to flourish?

Prayer

Lord, deliver us from self-importance and from setting ourselves a pace of work that prevents us from being able to give sufficient time and attention to those around us. Awaken our exhausted spirits. Halt us in our tracks and help us to minister healing and grace when we feel the tug of genuine human need. May we be fully present to those around us, in ways that bring Glory to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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God on Monday is produced in partnership with the Church of England. The reflections are based on the scriptural readings designated for the next Sunday in the Church's lectionary. You can sign up here to receive each God on Monday instalment.

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