A Strange Stop Along the Way
Scripture Reading — Luke 8:40-48
"Who touched me?" Jesus asked.
Luke 8:45
Picture Jairus, fidgeting impatiently, agonizing over his dying daughter. Picture the disciples shrugging their shoulders in confusion. Picture the crowds milling around, wondering how long this strange pause on the way to Jairus's house is going to last. Picture Jesus calmly standing in the midst of them all, speaking with a woman whose face is beaming with joy.
Why did Jesus stop? There was no need to find out who had touched his cloak, no need to identify the person to whom his power had gone out, no need to know exactly who had been healed, no need to halt the procession that had been hurrying to Jairus's house. The woman herself had been made well and was content to fall back into the crowd without talking to Jesus. Why, then, did Jesus stop to find out who had touched him and to speak with her?
Jesus stopped because the woman's physical healing was not the main issue. He wanted to beautify her experience of his power by sharing his love. He wanted to recreate a piece of what had been lost in the fall into sin: the relationship between God and his people.
That's what Jesus wants today too. Sunday worship is, in some respects, another strange stop along the way. As you enter church today, get ready to meet him: God wants to commune with you.
<p>Lord, we are glad to worship with our faith family and commune with you today. In the name of Jesus, through whose righteousness we can come before you, we thank you. Amen.</p>
About the author — David Den Haan
Pastor Dave Den Haan has served at Fairway Christian Reformed Church in Jenison, Michigan, since 1999. Previously he served a church in Minnesota. Dave and his wife, Connie, have three children.
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