Jesus Doesn't Let Us Get Lost in the Crowd

     I have heard people talk about feeling alone even when they are part of a large family, involved with a large group of people they work with regularly, as a member of a team sport, or…even as part of a Church community. People often feel isolated and alone. They may experience loneliness for many reasons:

-         Illness

-         Loss of a loved one

-         Feelings of not fitting in due to economic difficulties

-         Shame over something a family member has done

-         Guilt over a legal problem

-         Shame over some transgression committed

-         A history of rejection

-         Poor social skills

-         And many experience loneliness because they do not know how to connect with others; and there are many more ways to experience a sense of loneliness.

     The Church is to exhibit a picture of Jesus as the Body of Christ. All too often, we do not do a very good job of helping people become part of a community of faith. In other words, we need to help people realize that with Jesus, ‘no one gets lost in the crowd’!  I really do think that most people want to be kind, friendly, and accepting. But, in our negative culture, it is often hard for us to display. After all, we are here also to be connected to the Body of Christ, the Church, our community of faith and healing. In Mark 5:25-34, there is a picture of Jesus that is so loving and heartwarming that it is easy to miss. It is one of those pictures of ‘the Church’ that we need to help others see very clearly.

     In this passage there is a woman who has had a devastating illness for twelve years. This illness is some type of hemorrhage or continual bleeding that in the NASB is called an ‘affliction.’ This word carries the meaning of the same type of agony one would undergo who was horsewhipped. She is in continual misery and has spent all of her resources trying to find a cure, but has come away with nothing. She hears about Someone who is doing miraculous things, has a degree of faith in what she has heard, and goes to find Jesus. She does not want to bring attention to herself, so she discreetly touches the robe of Jesus as He passes by. Let’s look at Jesus’ response:

-          Jesus stops what He is doing when the woman touches Him. He immediately responds to her act of faith. She is important to Jesus. Her need matters!

-          Jesus takes time to minister to her specifically and individually. She is able to tell Him all that has gone on in her life, even though she is afraid.

-          Jesus sends her on with His blessing giving her what she needs to hold her head up in society.

     Now what do we learn from this that we as the Church might take to heart and practice:

a.       Realize that people really matter. I often encourage Sunday School teachers to put the lesson aside for a few moments to help a person in crisis. Be on the lookout for those who need a touch of love.

b.      Just as she came seeking out Jesus for help, remember that today, people come to Church ‘looking for Jesus.’ This gives us a great opportunity to demonstrate acceptance, love, and concern for others. When we see someone who is sitting by themselves, approach them without being overbearing. Be sensitive to body language and other external clues. Try to make them feel comfortable. If the Holy Spirit leads you, sit with them or invite them to sit with you (and give them the best seat). Let's show Jesus to others.

c.       Just as Jesus stopped and conversed with the woman, we should take time to connect with others that we do not know. All too often, we enter for worship, talk with people we have just been in Bible Study with for an hour, and walk past someone who is a guest. One of the reasons that Jesus places us in the body is to grow the body. Include others!

     This is somewhat simplistic, but all too often what the Bible teaches us is simple. We seem to want to make it hard and burdensome. One of the many things that we see Jesus modeling is that no one is lost in a crowd when they are looking for Him. He wants to seek them out, help with their needs, and give them His blessing. That’s Great Stuff!!!!

Let’s not keep it to ourselves. Welcome others to His body! I’ve ‘spotted the truth’ in this text, how about you?

Jeff Woolum

First Baptist Church

Perrysburg, OH