Breaking Point
And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?”
Luke 8:45
There is a point in time where the soul longs to cry out in anguish and release. Some, though few, experience such moments in the quietness of solitude. Far more find these moments in the midsts of company. In solitude the response seems much more natural. When others are near, however, the natural inclination is to retreat and hold back with every last ounce of energy. There is, however, a breaking point to such constraint.
Jesus and a sick woman
We see a semblance of it in Luke 8. Jesus had just returned from the country of the Garasenes and was immediately met by a crowd. As was the custom, large groups of people amassed around Christ, pushing and shoving to get close. In the calamity of the mob-like scene a sick woman pushed her way to front and narrowly touched a piece of Jesus’ clothing–she was immediately healed. Success, or so she thought. Jesus immediately stopped and asked, “Who was it that touched me?” Peter, the ever vocal disciple, captured the seeming absurdity of the question. “Master, the crowds surrounding you are pressing in on you!” But Jesus insisted and pressed the point. The situation was apparently nerve-racking for the woman healed. For it wasn’t until she realized she could hide no longer that she came forward. In that brief moment we see the paradox of our breaking points. The woman wanted nothing more than an audience with Christ. Yet, when opportunity presented itself, she chose a covert method. No doubt, part of her decision was influenced by the great crowds–this wasn’t an alone moment with Christ. For Jesus, however, the crowd was no impediment. After the woman came forward Jesus simply said, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” Certainly there is much to lean here regarding faith; but there is also a lesson regarding our open honesty.
Why we’re like the woman
I had a recent encounter with a fellow believer who was at a breaking point. I asked about her day; she quickly responded that it had not gone well. Now, if you know anything of Southern edict you know that is not the proper response to the question. Immediately I found this daughter of Christ’s at a crossroads. Simply saying those truthful words nearly brought tears to her eyes; and there was great tension. What she needed, and wanted, was to talk–taking the heavy burden on her soul and dispersing it over her fellow believers (Rom. 12:5). At the same time, further conversation was her greatest fear. At that moment she rather strikingly resembled the woman in the crowd–knowing what she needed and yet fearing it. The possible reasons behind the fear are numerous: a surrounding crowd, admitting weakness, ostracizing, etc. Whatever the reason, I saw in her eyes what must have been in the eyes of the woman in Luke 8. I have been like that woman more times than I care to admit. Wanting the ministry that comes through Christ and his church but afraid to speak out; if only I could reach the fringe unnoticed. If there is something of the sort to be learned in Jesus’ encounter it is this: Jesus welcomes those who come in faith, even if it is weak faith. The church of Christ should be no different. Why languish over stepping out. What we want, what we need, is to press our way to the front, stopping the commotion, and cry aloud, I am sick and need you to make me well. You cannot hide from Christ, covertly receiving ministry. But take courage, Jesus does not turn away those who truly seek him.
