How can we ensure we are not just part of the crowd around Jesus? The Scene: Pressed but Unreached Mark 5 records an actual historical moment. “His disciples answered, ‘You can see the crowd pressing in on You, and yet You ask, "Who touched Me?"’ ” (Mark 5:31). Many brushed against Jesus; only one touched Him with believing expectation and received power. Recognize the Difference: Crowding Versus Touching • Physical nearness does not equal spiritual connection. • Crowding can mask complacency; touching flows from earnest faith. • “Daughter, your faith has healed you” (Mark 5:34) shows Jesus responding to active reliance, not mere proximity. Cultivate Personal, Living Faith • Believe Scripture exactly as written; faith rests on God’s unchanging word (Romans 10:17). • Reject secondhand religion; trust Christ for yourself (Galatians 2:20). • Regularly “examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Seek the Presence of Christ Daily • Meet Him in the Word and prayer, not only in public gatherings (Psalm 119:105). • Like Mary of Bethany, choose “the good portion” of sitting at His feet (Luke 10:42). • Set aside distractions; the woman with the hemorrhage pressed through the crowd, undeterred. Obey the Word Fully • “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). • Action proves allegiance. “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). • Obedience positions the believer to experience Christ’s power, as touching the hem activated healing. Serve Others Intentionally • Jesus “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10:45); imitate His pattern. • Move from spectator to participant by meeting tangible needs (James 2:17). • Service channels the life of Christ through His body, making disciples rather than audiences. Walk in the Spirit Continually • “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). • The Spirit keeps affection warm and prevents drift into crowd mentality. • Sensitivity to His prompting maintains personal closeness with Jesus. Examine Your Fruit Regularly • “By their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:20). • Look for growing love, joy, peace, and the other Spirit-produced traits (Galatians 5:22-23). • Consistent fruit signals genuine connection rather than casual association. Encourage One Another Purposefully • “Let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24). • Mutual exhortation guards against drifting into the anonymous crowd. • Fellowship that centers on Christ draws everyone closer to Him. From Pressing to Touching Living faith, daily pursuit, wholehearted obedience, Spirit-led service, and mutual encouragement move believers from mere adjacency to authentic intimacy with Jesus, ensuring they are more than faces in the crowd—they are true disciples who touch Him and are forever changed. |
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