Welcome!
Passage: Luke 8: 43-48 (NIV 84) 1 John 1: 1-4 (Orthodox Jewish Bible)
Today: Its all about getting closer!
45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” (Luke 8, NIV 84)-emphasis added
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. (1 John 1, NIV 84)
John, a disciple of Jesus was the one closest to Him. We got a gospel, letters and the book of revelation, through John
In his introduction to the first epistle, John clearly states a step-by-step progress of how he came into a close relationship with the master
Hearing > seeing > looking > touching; that’s how it goes
Jesus, who is God, lived among people, and kept no distance from them
It is the people who stayed closer or away from Him
We can get closer to Jesus, as much as we want!
The first thing John mentions is hearing. It was when they (James and John) heard about Jesus, that they went and saw what Jesus was doing. They found that what they heard was true. They got closer to Him, looked at Him. And then, they went even closer, and they touched Him!
17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. (Rom 10, NIV 84)-emphasis added
14 And the Word became flesh, and [k]dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of [l]the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1, NASB)- emphasis added
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12, NIV 84)- emphasis added
Which stage are you in? Most people like to keep a “safe distance” from Jesus, so that they don’t need to identify as a person with Him! Jesus clearly stated that He will be ashamed of those who are ashamed of Him! (Mark 8:38)
When many people give their lives as an “offering” for Jesus, it will be injustice on His part, to welcome them and those who are ashamed of Jesus, into the same place. What do you think?
The woman who touched the garment of Jesus, went through these steps. She heard about Him, saw Him, looked at Him, and was convinced that it was worth taking the next step. She touched Him; she was not wrong!
We need to get closer to Jesus. He has answer ot our issues and concerns whether they are spiritual, emotional or physical; whether they are job-related, family, personal, financial or whatever it be; Jesus is the one stop source!
Have a blessed day, get little closer to Jesus; touch Him!
You can no longer be the same, after that!
BG
Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to get real close to you and touch you, and not to put any more masks infront of others. Help me to stop this “double play” and to live as a child of God, all seven days of the week, not just Sunday. Amen
You can either touch Jesus and be different, or touch Him not and be the same; the choice is yours!