Mark 3:7 – 10 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. When they heard all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him.
When I was a little girl, I had a huge crush on a certain superstar who shall, at this time, remain nameless. One day, I heard he was coming to our town. Well, that set into motion a campaign like no other, to persuade my parents to take me to see this person. I begged. I pleaded. I offered bribes (I promise I’ll keep my room perfectly clean for the rest of my life!). And eventually, they gave in. Dad agreed to take me.
When we arrived to see this person (yes, I know you want a name, but my lips are sealed), the crowd was enormous! We couldn’t even get into the building. But we were told if we waited, we might catch a glimpse of him on the red carpet as he was leaving. So, we stayed. (Did I ever mention what an amazing man my dad is?)
Sure enough, when said superstar emerged, I saw him! I pressed in to get a closer look, and was nearly crushed in the crowd. But then, I reached out . . . and I touched his sleeve. I am embarrassed to say I caught hold of his sleeve and wouldn’t let go, hoping he would turn to look at me. And sure enough, he did! He looked down, saw my 10-year-old hand, followed it up the wrist, the arm, and looked right into my eyes. I immediately let go, for what I saw in those eyes wasn’t the “Oh, darling, where have you been all my life?” look I was hoping for. (Imagine that.) Instead, he seemed to say, “Go away, little girl.”
And who can blame him, really?
There is a big difference between what that superstar had to offer, and Jesus. The person I wanted to see was an entertainer. He sang well, and he was nice to look at. But beyond that, he couldn’t offer me any real life-changing encounters.
But Jesus could. The crowds knew that, and they all wanted a piece of him. They all wanted their lives to be changed, the way others’ lives had been changed.
Friends, Jesus is the same person today that He was at the time the crowds pressed in on him. He has the same life-changing power that He has always had. And He offers it freely.
So why don’t I press through the crowds, pushing aside everything and everyone who stands in my way, just to be near Him? He is right here. He is as accessible to me as I want Him to be. And yet, all too often I am content to stand back and let everything in my life stand between me and my relationship with Him.
Why do I do that?
Jesus is the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. He is Creator, Healer, Redeemer, Provider, Savior. He has the power to move mountains, the power to give life, and the power to change lives. With one word, one touch, He can cast aside every obstacle. There is no miracle too big for Him. He gives a whole new meaning to the word “Superstar”.
I want to be near Him, friends. I want to be so in love with Him that I press through every barrier, casting aside everything that would stand between me and my Lord, just so I can touch His sleeve.
And when I do, I know the look I see in His eyes will be one of total, incomprehensible love.
That’s what I want.
Dear Father, Forgive me for letting things stand between me and You. I want to be near You.
Amen
Note: All right, already! If you really want to see who it was, *click here*.
Jesus’ look of love — I can’t imagine what it will be like when we see that one day!
Renae, Donny Osmond?? You were a wild one! 🙂
I can’t wait for that, either, Cheryl.
As for Donny, it was all those sparkly white teeth!
My money was on Donny Osmond long before I got to ‘click here’! I know you so well!
I bet Donny Osmond never moved a mountain.
I’m positive he never moved a mountain. But he certainly caused my heart to flutter!
I’d rather have a mountain-mover, though. 🙂
By the way, I just changed the link. Now it’s a video, so go check it out!
Donny, huh? Ha ha! How could he have been irritated with a sweet thing like you, Renae? 😉
I’m glad Jesus will never disappoint us like our human heroes and heart throbs do!
Well, obviously he wasn’t wearing his super radar glasses. If he could have just seen my heart he might have . . .
Well, he probably still would have wanted me to let go of his sleeve.
Poor guy. Must have been a hard life, having all those girls clamoring after him! 😉
Dear Renae,
You are so right. Why don’t we fight to come near the king of kings.
She who is writing this, just this summer stood upright for six consecutive hours to listen to her worthily idol, Bob Dylan.
I still cannot understand how I managed to do it.
The energy from all the bystanders, I guess, and the protecting hands of my hubby.
Still, I do not regret that day on the football stadium. I only regret all the passed opportunities to come closer to Jesus.
From Felisol
Wow! Six hours of Bob Dylan? I’m sure it was worth it!
AS for passing up opportunities to be closer to the Lord, I’m so glad He keeps giving us more and more opportunities. Aren’t you?
Somehow I missed this post! Taking a little luch break here in blog world and laughing my head off over the video but completely undone by the illustration!
So glad you liked the illustration, Carol-Ann!
Donny was a cutie, wasn’t he? 😉