Gaining Attention in a Crowd

Scripture: Just then there came a man named Jairus, a leader of the synagogue. He fell at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come to his house. Luke 8:41

Observation: Jesus has entered a place, and is greeted by such a significant crowd that it is even difficult for him to move. The crowd is mentioned several times, and later when Jesus asks who touched him it seems like a nonsense question to his disciples because ... everyone is touching him. However, in this entire mass of people, only two interactions are remembered.

The second is a woman in need of heeling who humbly sneaks up to Jesus, touches the tassels at the bottom of his shawl, and upon being called out bows at Jesus' feet. The first is a man - a leader of the local synagogue - who falls at Jesus' feet and literally begs for his assistance.

One way of summarizing the situation involving the crowd is this:

-- There are many, many people who want to view Jesus and get near him.

-- There are precious few who want to humble themselves, present themselves before Jesus, declare their weaknesses and inability to manage their own circumstances, and hope and beg for compassion.

It is the latter category of people with whom Jesus engages and helps.

Application: I know that the times Jesus has most engaged in my life are when I have truly known I can do nothing ... that I am totally helpless ... with him. What I forget most of the time is that that condition of total helplessness and need for compassion actually exists ALL the time. I always need his love, help, compassion, mercy, guidance, assistance, and hope. I can do nothing without Jesus. I can do all things with Jesus.

I don't want to be part of the crowd who believes in Jesus enough that I strive to get near him. I want to believe is Jesus so much that being near him isn't enough ... humble dependence is the benchmark.

Prayer: Jesus, today I bow at your feet, unworthy as I am of your power and attention. The matters of my life are meaningless. However, I desire your assistance and intervention in all things. May I do only what you would have me do, where you would have me do it, and in the manner you wish for your purposes on earth. I never succeed with you, and no definition of success of accurate except by your own plan. Please, may I do your work only, in your power alone and not mine, today and every day. Amen.