Just One Touch

"As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. 
She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. 'Who touched me?' Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, 'Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.'
  But Jesus said, 'Someone touched me, I know that power has gone out from me.'"
Luke 8:42-46 

I find many interesting and eye opening things in the story above. The Bible records that the woman had been dealing with severe issue for so long that she had spent all her money on doctors. In other words, she had sought every other possible answer to her problem. But one day, she found Jesus. But this is not the end of the story. Not only did she find him, but she made a decision to touch him. Her goal was much deeper than that of the rest of the crowd.
    In some translations, this same scripture says that the crowds were pressing in around Jesus. It is this theme that I would like to talk about. You see, we need to learn to press in. But we need to understand and be willing to follow through. The rest of the crowd in the story, was willing to press in, but they were content to be near Jesus. They wanted to see him and hear him. These are great things and I'm sure they benefited from it. But the woman was not content with this. She had to touch him. I believe this is the mentality we need to have. We need to be willing to press into the things of God so much that we touch him, and he touches us. This is not another legalistic thing we have to obey. It comes through a desire and passion to be with Him. Practically, this means that we create more time to be with Jesus. We are so driven by our schedules that we don't allow enough room to just sit in the presence of God. But this is exactly what is needed. When we do that, we eliminate the impact of the time constraints and external pressures. This is truly pressing in. 
    It is important to recognize the result of the woman's action. When she touched him, her issue was healed immediately. All the years, all the money, all the time she had spent pursuing other options were redeemed in an instant. One touch and it was completed. When it happened, power went out from Jesus. He knew it and she knew it. There was a connection between the supernatural and the natural. Her faith resulted in a great healing that would not come any other way.  
    I know there are many who need to touch Jesus and have his power flow into their lives. Some are sick, others are burdened. The answer to these things will not be found in any other place or course of action. The only true answer will be a connection with God. Only he can do what is necessary to provide for your temporary and eternal needs. I encourage you to press into God. Take time to be with him. Sometimes we need to just be quiet and allow him to minister to us. When you touch him and he touches you, you will never be the same. It is an experience that will change the rest of your life. You can spend a lot of time and money looking in other directions, or you can see the true answer. It only takes one touch and your situation changes forever.