Day 7: Two Responses

2nd Wednesday in Lent

Scripture: Luke 8:45, Mark 5:31

^NRS Luke 8:45 Then Jesus asked, "Who touched me?" When all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you."

^NRS Mark 5:31 And his disciples said to him, "You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, 'Who touched me?'"

Devotional: Today we consider the same story from two different Gospels. Together they give us a more complete picture. Jairus had come to the shore and begged Jesus to heal his daughter. Immediately He said, “Yes,” but on the way to the synagogue ruler’s home He stopped in the middle of the crowd that was pressing in on him. No one knew why until He asked, “Who touched me?” When no one answered, Peter spoke up.  Luke records the softer response, “Master, the crowds surround you.” Mark completes the picture with Peter’s boldness, “How can you say, ‘Who touched me?’” I have often paraphrased his response, “Jesus, have you lost your mind, hundreds of people are touching you and yet you ask which one?” It was a bold and brashly worded response, typical of Peter. Are we shocked at the manner in which Peter talks to Jesus? Have no fear, Jesus and God the Father will both rebuke him all too soon, but in the meantime, we need to understand Peter’s motivation behind his response. He was present when Jairus came with his request. We don’t know if Peter had children, but we do know he was married. He would understand the fear of losing a loved one and the urgency of getting Jesus to them. For Peter, healing was still about physical relief. He had yet to understand Jesus’ desire to fully heal a person: physically, socially, mentally and spiritually. Jesus stopped when power left His body and healed the woman with the issue of blood because He wanted to heal her entirely. Peter only saw a delay. His response is perhaps best understood as, “Why are You stopping?” Jesus ignored him and waited for the woman to respond. Humbly she came forward and He restored her social standing and self-esteem while affirming her faith. He then moved on to Jairus’ house and healed his daughter, completely. Peter’s lack of understanding drove his bold response and it was ignored. The humble response of the nameless woman led to her complete healing and restoration. We need to be bold enough to speak, but we also must have the humility to be open to the reality that the Triune God sees a much bigger picture than we will ever see. The more we witness God’s reality the more we will be transformed into humbly bold people. That is the kind of people God needs to change the world.

Prayer: Lord, today we pray for complete healing and restoration in You. Where we are isolated, bring us connection. Where we are hurting, bring healing. Help us to see with Your eyes and understand Your bigger picture, so we may be part of Your absolute healing, Amen.

Song of praise:      All My Hope by Crowder featuring Tauren Wells

                                               

Spiritual discipline challenge: Today let us find someone with whom we can share a moment of celebration about what we have seen God do.