The Touch of Jesus

Hook: Story of someone coming to do something, and then they not doing what is supposed to happen.

Interruptions often cause anxiety.

It's 10:30 at night. You're not expecting anyone.

Then...Knock. Knock. Knock.

Not a text. Not a phone call. A knock.

Instantly your mind starts racing.

Who is it? Why are they here? Is everything okay?

Most of us don't calmly stroll to the door. Interruptions instantly create questions, and unanswered questions create anxiety.

TRANSITION

Mark 5:21–24 ESV

21 And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. 22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 23 and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” 24 And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him.

Great contrast between people asking him to leave and people waiting for him.

Who was Jairus. Ruler of the synagogue. Respected and honored position in the community. He was not the priest, but he was in charge of many administrative details of the synagogue.

Cast all the dignity aside because his little girl was dying.

Jesus needed no convincing. He went with Jairus. Crowds continued to follow him.

NO - When you can’t fix it, run to Jesus.

When people care enough, they'll do whatever it takes to get to Jesus.

They will ask for help. They will use language they don’t usually use. They will lay aside all pride.

Mark 5:25–34 ESV

25 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” 29 And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’ ” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling 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 disease.”

Time: 12 years

Physical: continual, off and on, not healing, whatever. Pain.

Financial: Doctors, healings, none could help.

Emotional: Despair

Social: Isolation, Unclean. Not allowed to participate in community feasts. Similar to demon-possessed. Seriousness of isolation. And tool of the enemy.

If I touch his garments? Break code of human contact? Social order? Holy persons clothes superstitiously contain power. She approached secretly.

Why ask the question? Who touched me? Gives the opportunity for confession!!!!

When people care enough, they'll do whatever it takes to get to Jesus.

They will break a few of the overreaching social rules. They will take risks.

Mark 5:35–43 ESV

35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Laughter: Out of place. Unbelief.

Jesus puts them all outside except the Peter, James, and John. Jairus and wife.

The touch of Jesus can change everything.

Fear is present in all three of the miracles in this chapter. The first two the people and the woman were afraid of Jesus. The third, Jesus told Jairus not to be afraid.

We fear many things. Speeding tickets, spiders/snakes, teenager coming home late. The Dark.

Some fear is good. Fear/reverance of the Lord. Fear of judge who has authority in the courtroom and over your conseqeunces. Snakes and spiders because of the harm their bite and venom can have on your flesh. Sometimes these fears become irrational thoughts that flood your mind.

As the fear becomes irrational, it is no longer about respect or reverence. It turns into worry and anxiety. It can become debilitating.

Jairus exhibited anxiety, that Jesus calmed with his words, “Do not be afraid.”

The people saw the man delivered from demons, exhibited anxiety and worry. Drove Jesus off.

The woman exhibited the reverance. She knew what she had done, she knew her consequence, she knew Jesus was more powerful that her. Her fear, however, was overcome by Jesus words.

PEACE:

Before Jesus, everyone who knew the Scriptures knew that with Jesus would establish peace. People thought that men establish a nation and peace through power and might.

Christians experience peace with God. There is no longer hostility between God and man. Christ mission was to bring spiritual peace with God. This is an important distinction because it isn’t peace between all people. IT isn’t peace between man and nature. It is peace between God and man.

Peace it isn’t a feeling, it is more than that.

Peace is a state of reality, no matter how we feel about it. It is a reality even where there is still fighting and conflict, that we know where we are, and what we can do, and what we can not do.

Some of you may need the touch of Jesus in your life so you can experience peace. You are afraid. You are fearful. You are feeling all kinds of emotions. You are anxious. You are worried.

Some of you may need to run to Jesus turning to Him, because He is already with you. Instead of trying to figure it out on your own.

Others of you it could be a change, a move, a big decision, a conversation you are dreading to have.

Some of you you feel the relationship with God isnt where it needs to be, fear not. Go to Him.