“So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him.” {Mark 5:24}
I think about both of them today—two needy souls approaching Jesus from different angles some 2000 years ago. I imagine that day was in keeping with most of the days of Christ’s earthly tenure. Days of…
crowds;
forward movement;
teaching;
healing;
praying;
touching;
loving.
Days of doing what Jesus did best—unearthing the treasures of heaven, revealing the heart and hands of the Divine. Those who knew him and loved him followed him closely, kept his words within earshot and his flesh within arm’s reach. Others—those who knew him less—followed closely as well… their motives in keeping with their needs. Some physical; some spiritual; some just trying to make sense of the rumors that preceded his arrival. Regardless of their reasons for following after Jesus, wherever he went he drew a crowd.
That day would be no different. Fresh off a detour to Gerasa and a showdown with demons, Christ stepped ashore to find a crowd awaiting his arrival. A synagogue ruler named Jarius approached Jesus with a frontal advance, fell at Christ’s feet and earnestly pleaded with him for the life of his young daughter. An unidentified woman approached Jesus from behind, earnestly hoping that a stretch of her arm through tangled robes might grant her a temporary grasping of his hem and, therefore, a permanent healing of her flesh.
Both of them candidates for healing. Both of them operating with a measure of faith. Both of them knowing that proximity to Christ’s presence was the optimum course of action to procure a sought after victory. There would be no sideline watching that day… no curiosity mingling on the outskirts of a moving grace. Instead, they would urgently press into that grace… into Jesus from different angles, believing that with him would come the answer to their need—their pain and their suffering.
I am moved by their simple, yet resolute understanding of who Jesus was; not an understanding birthed from years of scholarly tutorial or religious instruction or thousands of years of hindsight, but rather understanding birthed from personal experience. From hearing and seeing firsthand the generous dispensation of his miraculous grace and then, further, believing that such charity was intended for them at a personal level. They didn’t underestimate Christ’s sacred intentions; instead, they had enough faith to believe that they were, each one, his intention—the reason behind his walking along their road that day. And so, they approached his majesty and his mystery amidst the chaotic pageantry and secured the longed for victory that would forever change the trajectory of their lives.
Proximity to Christ’s presence is the precursor to change, friends. Whether it be a healing of the heart, the mind, or the flesh, taking hold of Jesus in your midst will secure for you his undivided attention and active willingness to undertake you cause. To place upon himself the burdens of your heart and then to mediate his grace and mercy into every angle, nook and cranny, twist and turn of your plight. When it comes to a personal need for healing, a sideline faith laced with tentative curiosity and rumored possibility holds no curative power; instead, it keeps hope and expectation lingering at the edge of what Christ came to do… comes to do…
to free us from that which entraps us—body, soul, and spirit.
We don’t get to choose the blueprint or course of action for how that freeing will occur, but we do get to choose our participation in the matter. When we approach Jesus Christ with our needs, whether it be from the front, back, or from a side-to-side angle, he never fails to get involved. God isn’t reluctant in offering his grace and tender mercy into our situations. He won’t ever force his grace upon us… make us choose him, prefer him, rely on him when our wills are tethered otherwise. But when we do ask Christ for a moment or two of his consideration—his divine intervention into our need—we can be certain of his willingness to act on our behalf.
We are what he came to do—the reason behind his walking his daily grace some 2000 years ago. The reason he left us his personal diary of sorts… a forever record of remembrance so that we might find ourselves somewhere within the story. So that we might live and record our own stories of faith, so that they might serve as a lasting memorial to the transformational power and generosity of our road-walking Jesus.
Today, if you have a need, then you have a Jesus who’s headed your way. Word is… he’s in town. Word is… the crowds are pressing in. Word is… he’s got room for one more. Won’t you join me on the road to behold the Lamb of God and then to take hold of all of that for which he has taken hold of each one of us? I’ve got just enough faith to take me there. Just enough faith to keep me there until I’ve seen his face, felt the transfer of his power, and heard his voice speaking over me…
Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace, and be freed from your suffering. {Mark 5:34}
Indeed, blessed peace for the moment. Blessed peace for my journey. Even so, dear Jesus, I come needy to your feet this day. May your peace be my portion and your healing my freedom song. Amen. So be it.
Oh yes, if we have a need, we do have a Jesus headed our way. I love how He delights to meet our needs. Today He did it by offering me a verse of Scripture that spoke like a bullhorn into my need.
I love His knowing, His sensitivity to my weaknesses,and His love for me.
Leah
Dear Elaine, What a wonderful post today-we all are in such need of His touch, His healing, His grace. Thanking you for making His truth more real today. I say Amen to each of us who are in desperate need.
Hugs,
Noreen
we do get to choose our participation in the matter . . .
I am trying to respond again–my last comment was eaten.
Just wanted to say that your words are so elequent and say so much better what I tried to on my post. Thank you!!
Oh so beautiful, Elaine. This was my favorite line: "Today, if you have a need, then you have a Jesus who’s headed your way."
A couple of years ago, I wrote a poem about the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment. I wrote it from her perspective. The Holy Spirit truly gave the words to me – because they still speak to me of the wonder of a Savior who walked my way, because He knew I was looking for Him.
Thanks for this very encouraging word today.
GOD BLESS!
Proximity to Christ’s presence is the precursor to change….We don’t get to choose the blueprint or course of action for how that freeing will occur, but we do get to choose our participation in the matter.
You are SO quotable! These sentences hold my attention today. I choose PROXIMITY. I choose PARTICIPATION!
Thanks, Elainbe!
Sweet sis, I am ready to go with you on this journey to our healer. I love you.
dear elaine,
knowing the road behind you and front
of you makes this teaching even more
meaningful.
Jesus makes all the difference. i'm
praying for your healing.
One of my favorite stories in the bible is the one of the woman touching Jesus's hem and her faith healing her. Just a touch…
What an awesome thought.
Beautiful post.
I love knowing that he already provided for every need on the cross. I just need to receive it. Jehovah-Jireh: God has provided, past, present and future.
What you have written here…" I come needy to your feet this day. May your peace be my portion and your healing my freedom song." is soo my heart today. I am soo needy, and I love knowing He WILL meet those needs. This was a WONDERFUL post. HUGS, Debbie
Simply beautiful. I will read it again and again! thanks for sharing your heart today Elaine!
Yes and amen – be it even as you have spoken for you, for all us needy ones.
You always bless me, Elaine. Every single time I come to visit.
Love, thanks, and holy hugs,
Kathie
Once I post this comment I will walk away from my computer and go meet my Jesus just as He is waiting to meet me. We all have needs and tonight mine in heavy! Thank you for gently nudging me to my answer!!!
Praying for you as always, Cindy
Me too Elaine! I am so taken lately that just as we came to Jesus for salvation, we come straight to Him for everything else also. When there is a need, a question or a desire of heart… we draw close to Him and find the faith for the next…
Elaine – I love you and am praying for you right now… Beautiful post – as always.
Jesus is EVERYTHING~
Peace, friend…
Jennifer
I sometimes feel Jesus gets so tired of me….because I seem to run to Him all the time with my problems, issues….
But the great thing is I know He is there for me…always!
Once again your words are encouraging.
~Beth
elaine – thank you for always sharing what Jesus lays on your heart. it is beautiful!
wifeforthejourney:
Jesus is indeed "headed our way," and I am moved again by the Lord's close company during these days of hardship.
You are in my thoughts and prayers this morning.
Love you,
Billy
"God isn’t reluctant in offering his grace and tender mercy into our situations. He won’t ever force his grace upon us… make us choose him, prefer him, rely on him when our wills are tethered otherwise. But when we do ask Christ for a moment or two of his consideration—his divine intervention into our need—we can be certain of his willingness to act on our behalf."
I give Him glory for this grace. I praise Him for inspiring your pen, for it ministered powerfully to me today. Love you, my sister.
"Proximity to Christ’s presence is the precursor to change, friends." That says it all for me!
Beautiful. Enjoying your peace for the day with you, my friend.
Kathleen
Elaine,
How I wish you could have been with us in the prison worship service last night. Your words echo the incredibly spirit-filled teachings last night.
We can talk the talk, but our faith and our passion brings into the very presence of God.
I see you at the house overflowing with crowds thronging around Jesus, barring entrance. And I see you on the roof, on your knees digging through the roof. Nothing will stop you being in the presence of your Savior.
Blessings to you, sweet friend,
Kelli
I'm so thankful He's always in town… So thankful for His words, "Go in peace."
Blessings to you this week, Elaine!
He loves to meet our every need. He is awesome!
Sheryl
So comforting to be reminded that He came to meet our needs individually! Great thoughts Elaine!
Amen… and amen! Yes, LORD!
Warmest Greetings Elaine,
Thankyou for sharing with us. He has been your all in all. He loves you much:)
Blessings,
katiegfromtennessee
I too, long to hear those words from Jesus, "Daughter, your faith has healed you, go in peace."
It was her FAITH that healed!
I love this post as it reminds me of what Jesus has been teaching me personally this past week.
He said, "Do not cry out to be 'saved from' your affliction… rather ask to be 'used through' it!
There is a big difference for me and I'm trying to follow His desire in that. To be used to touch those crowds, moving forward in my faith, teaching, healing, praying and loving.
Because it is ALL ABOUT LOVE!
Choosing JOY in this season,
Stephanie
PS: Blessings and Favor be yours!
"May your peace be my portion"…that is so my prayer. My plate is so full…dad…the job…church…family.
Be my portion Lord.
Love you Elaine….we are still praying for you daily before we leave the house each morning. Feel the power!!!!
Believing Him~Pamela
I love, love, love this post. I too will be reading it over and over again! Elain, you are dearly loved and appreciated!
Praying for you,
Debbie (in AZ)
So grateful that the Lord saw fit to give us details about this daughter who touched Him. How much can we relate to her… have her desires… and her boldness/desperation… and her healing.
Love to you, my friend. Praying that His mercies fall afresh today.
What a lovely post Elaine. Your eloquent description transported me to that road along side Him, swept up in His Presence.
"Proximity to Christ’s presence is the precursor to change, friends."
Amen Dear Lady… May we all draw closer to Him and begin that holiest of transformations.
Have a Blessed Day!
elaine! your anointing has increased and
i pray your healing will do the same!
thank you for not giving up or giving in
to your trial. you will have a mighty
testimony, and we will praise His name
for it!