Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Touching the Untouchable
Mark 5:24-34
Vs. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
In this Bible portion, we read about a bleeding woman, who "had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse".
According to Mosaic Law, women who were ceremonially unclean weren't allowed to touch anyone. But when this woman heard about a man who healed many who had various diseases, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak.
All those who came into contact with Jesus, experienced the healing in every part of their lives, both physically and spiritually.
Where the need is great, then Jesus is there to touch. From our part, what is needed is the faith of this woman, the leper, the blind and the many others who were humble enough to admit that they were in need. All of them believed and recognized that Jesus was the only one who could satisfy their needs.
Verse 30-31 says “At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”
Jesus realized what had happened; But the disciples who “follow" him are ignorant about this needy woman.
Are we regular church goers avoiding the marginalized, disabled or needy who want to touch Jesus? A True believer is the one who is always willing to extend a helping hand to someone who is in need. The task of the Church is to incorporate all types of humans into our community.
A failure to incorporate all types of humans is to deny Jesus in our lives.
PRAYER
Almighty God, Forgive me for ignoring the struggles of the needy and helpless around me. Give me the ability to acknowledge that every individual need respect and dignity. Amen.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“How a society treats its disabled is the true measure of civilization”  - Chen Guangcheng
Saji J. Mathew,St. Thomas MTC, Lombard, IL
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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