READING: Joshua 18-19, Luke 8:40-9:6
Jesus had agreed to go to the home of Jairus to heal his dying daughter. At the same time, though, the crowds who had come to be near Him were pressing up against Him; in fact, the text tells us that they “were nearly crushing him” (Luke 8:42). So, when a hurting, desperate woman came up behind him and touched His robe, it’s amazing that He particularly recognized her touch. In fact, Peter questioned how He could determine who touched Him in the midst of the crowds: “Master, the crowds are hemming you in and pressing against you” (Luke 8:45).
What I love about this story is that Jesus felt this woman’s touch even when He was on His way to the emergency at the home of Jairus. He knew where He was headed, but that task did not get in the way of His sensing one hurting person in the crowd. He didn’t get so focused on the next work that He missed the cry of this woman.
The challenge for me is not to get so busy doing ministry that I walk right past people who are reaching out for help.
PRAYER: “God, make me sensitive to people around me today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Joshua 20-21, Luke 9:7-36
