“Who touched my cloak?”
This is a classic example where Jesus is asking a question that is deeper than the “correct” answer. Do you think Jesus didn’t know who touched him? So why did Jesus ask the question?
Mark 5:21-34 New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
21 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him, and he was by the sea. 22 Then one of the leaders of the synagogue, named Jairus, came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet 23 and pleaded with him repeatedly, “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 So he went with him.
And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. 25 Now there was a woman who had been suffering from a flow of blood for twelve years. 26 She had endured much under many physicians and had spent all that she had, and she was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 for she said, “If I but touch his cloak, I will be made well.” 29 Immediately her flow of blood stopped, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my cloak?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’ ” 32 He looked all around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
If Jesus isn’t looking for the answer to his question, why did he ask the question?
Shouldn’t Jesus be in a hurry to get to Jairus’ home?
Jesus was in the middle of a crowed street, what was different about this one person who touched him?
How do you think Jairus is feeling during this exchange between the woman and Jesus?
How do you think the woman is feeling when Jesus asks the question?
Would you have admitted to touching Jesus knowing what your condition would have done to Jesus?
Jesus calls the woman her daughter… how many times did Jesus call someone daughter?
Is this a story about pain and suffering, or healing, or faith, or something else…
Let’s talk about it on Sunday.
~ Pastor Dustin
