There is power in human touch. Babies need human touch or they will not survive. They need to know that someone will care for their needs. They need to feel safe in order to develop into healthy adults emotionally and physically.
One of the deficits that soldiers have when they are deployed is touch. They don’t get the positive, touches that we need. They become physically isolated, even though they live in very cramped quarters. Even adults need touch.
Sports have created rituals to reinforce positive touch. Opposing teams often shake hands after the competition has come to an end. They file past each other and shake hands. “No hard feelings. Today just happened to be our day. Don’t give up.” The words might not be there, but the handshake, the thump on the shoulder, the ‘high five’ and the dance, the whole body lift or pile-on all signify togetherness, connectedness and security. We are on the same team.
Our text explores Jairus’ need to have Jesus come and touch his daughter. Jesus’ physical touch was not necessary for healing to happen. He could “just speak the word” and the daughter would be healed. The touch was not so much for the daughter as it was for Jairus. Jairus needed the touch. He needed the physical sign of Jesus’ care.
Jairus needed Jesus to come to where his daughter was. I guess she was so ill that she couldn’t be moved. Or perhaps this was an impulsive act by Jairus. Maybe he had no intention of asking Jesus for help. Jesus was considered dangerous, His teaching too far from the mainstream to be accepted. But Jairus doesn’t care that Jesus will be in his house and home. All those things are not that important in that moment.
Jairus needs the physical touch that Jesus had demonstrated on other occasions with other people to be physically present with his daughter. She was so ill she needed healing, and healing to the extent that if healing does not take place, she will die.
A friend of mine recently died of an illness. Within eight days he went from diagnosis to death. His illness was desperate and acute. Fortunately for my friend, he had settled the eternity question years ago. He lived in the grace provided to him by Jesus’ death and resurrection. His body may have ceased to function, but he is now in eternity, where not tears or sorrow or pain exist. His battle is over. He is at peace.
Jairus had no such assurance when he came to Jesus that day. Jesus could have refused to come. He could have said that there were other priorities, that there were great numbers of people who needed Him and going to help one young girl would limit His impact that day. But Jesus often sought out the one in spite of the needs of the many.
How do you balance the one and the many? How do you “divide your time” with work, family, community, and self? How do you know when enough is enough?
The Arnold Journey 