Luke 8:45-49: a reflection

45Jesus said, “Who touched me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes press and jostle you, and you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 46But Jesus said, “Someone did touch me, for I perceived that power has gone out of me.” 47When the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him declared to him in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 48He said to her, “Daughter, cheer up. Your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” 49While he still spoke, one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house came, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Don’t trouble the Teacher.”

As Jesus is pressed on every side by a jostling crowd, a woman who has suffered for years reaches out and touches the edge of his garment in faith, and is healed; and Jesus, though surrounded by the multitude, knows that one has touched him in faith. Who touched me? he asks. When the disciples point out that the crowds are pressing all around him, Jesus says, Someone did touch me, for I perceived that power has gone out of me. Amid the whole pressing crowd, many touching and jostling him, Jesus singled out the one who had touched him in faith. This shows that Jesus notices the individual reaching out to him in faith, even amid a crowd; the one who comes to him in real faith is not lost in the multitude but known and singled out. Many pressed him, but one touched him in faith, and Jesus knew. Jesus notices the individual touch of faith even in a crowd. The one who reaches out in faith is singled out, not lost in the multitude. Faith's touch is known to Jesus even amid the crowd. Jesus perceives the individual coming to him in faith.

Notice the distinction Jesus draws: between the many who pressed him and the one who touched him in faith. The crowd was jostling and pressing all around him; many were touching him in that sense. But Jesus knew that one had touched him differently, in faith, reaching out to him for healing; and he perceived it, singled it out, though surrounded by the multitude. This is a beautiful thing: that amid all the pressing crowd, Jesus noticed the individual who reached out to him in real faith. The one who comes to Christ in faith is not lost in the crowd, not overlooked in the multitude; Christ knows and singles out the individual touch of faith. This encourages us: that when we reach out to Christ in faith, even feeling ourselves lost in a crowd, one among countless others, Christ notices us, knows our individual reaching out, and responds. We are not anonymous to him; the touch of our faith is known and singled out. Christ perceives the individual who comes to him in faith, however lost we may feel in the crowd. The touch of faith is never lost on Christ. He knows and responds to the individual reaching out to him. Faith's reach to Christ is always noticed by him.

That is worth resting in, for Christ notices the individual reaching out to him in faith, even amid a crowd, and responds. We can feel lost in the crowd, one anonymous person among countless others, doubting that Christ would notice us in particular; but amid the whole pressing multitude, Jesus knew and singled out the one who touched him in faith. The one who reaches out to Christ in faith is not lost in the crowd but known and answered by him. When you reach out to Christ in faith, feeling lost in the crowd, remember that he notices the individual touch of faith, as he knew the woman who touched him. Rest in the truth that Christ notices the individual reaching out to him in faith, even amid a pressing crowd, and responds, as Jesus, though jostled by the multitude, knew that one had touched him in faith and healed her; for the one who comes to Christ in real faith is not lost in the crowd or overlooked in the multitude, but is known and singled out by him, so that however anonymous we may feel, one among countless others, when we reach out to Christ in faith he notices us, perceives our individual reaching out, and responds, since the touch of faith is never lost on him.

Lord Jesus, as you are pressed on every side by a jostling crowd, a woman who has suffered for years reaches out and touches the edge of your garment in faith, and is healed; and you, though surrounded by the multitude, know that one has touched you in faith. Who touched me? you ask. When the disciples point out that the crowds are pressing all around you, you say, Someone did touch me, for I perceived that power has gone out of me. Amid the whole pressing crowd, many touching and jostling you, you singled out the one who had touched you in faith. This shows that you notice the individual reaching out to you in faith, even amid a crowd. Show me the distinction you draw: between the many who pressed you and the one who touched you in faith. The crowd was jostling all around you; but you knew that one had touched you differently, in faith, reaching out for healing; and you perceived it, though surrounded by the multitude. This is a beautiful thing: that amid all the pressing crowd, you noticed the individual who reached out to you in real faith. The one who comes to you in faith is not lost in the crowd; you know and single out the individual touch of faith. This encourages me: that when I reach out to you in faith, even feeling lost in a crowd, you notice me, know my individual reaching out, and respond. I am not anonymous to you. Let me rest in that, for you notice the individual reaching out to you in faith, even amid a crowd, and respond. I can feel lost in the crowd, one anonymous person among countless others, doubting that you would notice me in particular; but amid the whole pressing multitude, you knew and singled out the one who touched you in faith. When I reach out to you in faith, feeling lost in the crowd, help me remember that you notice the individual touch of faith, Lord, as you knew the woman who touched you, so that however anonymous I feel, when I reach out to you in faith you perceive me and respond.