Pushing Forward to Touch Jesus

Written By Daniel Gehman

Mark 3:10

In Jesus’ early years of ministry, he healed an untold number of diseased people. This made him very popular, at least with sick folks! Mark, in his action-oriented gospel, tells us that great crowds of people followed the Savior, inspired by the miracles he performed for their friends and families. In chapter 3, Jesus seeks access to a boat to get away from the crush of the infirm, who were “pushing forward to touch him.” (Mark 3:10). The Greek word for the verb used here means to fall upon; therefore, one might suggest these throngs of people were “falling all over themselves” to get to Jesus and his focused attention. The Greek for “touch” can mean “to attach oneself to.” More on that later.

In chapter 5, we are told a similar story but given more detail. There the subject is a solitary woman who has suffered an affliction in her body for many years, baffling her caregivers. Like the crowds, she had witnessed the amazing things Jesus had done for others and wanted in on that blessing. But even more than wanting it, she was persuaded that the Lord would respond and heal her, whether or not he was aware of her actions. Instead of “falling all over” the Lord, she rather just “came up behind him” hoping to touch the hem of his garment and receive healing. She almost managed to pull it off without being detected. Almost.

But Jesus knew; he “felt power go out from him.” (5:30). Fearing discovery, she approached and fell at his feet instead of pushing forward. It must have stunned and delighted her when the Lord said, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” (5:34). That’s the last we hear of her.

Both examples focus on the motivational power of belief and faith based on eyewitness accounts. It’s hard to imagine the enormous emotional impact of seeing a loved one healed, or a whole series of them. That might help explain why people saw the healings and “fell all over” Jesus to get some of the same benefit. They reasoned they too could receive similar lavish mercy from the Lord. Once persuaded of the potential relief for themselves, they strove to get it. They “pushed forward to touch him.” It’s a beautiful picture of bold action motivated by energized faith.

It is also an appropriate metaphor for we who seek union with Jesus today. There is no more effective way to get it than by touching him. Our intentional and sustained practice of disciplines, including contemplation of the Word, or God himself, in prayer, worship, fasting, solitude, or service, is how we accomplish this.

Continuously pushing forward, we hope merely to “touch the hem of his garment,” or more pointedly, to attach ourselves to him. Our belief is that by doing so, he will heal our brokenness, hurt, and hunger, and we, too, will go in peace.

Daniel Gehman

Daniel has followed Jesus since 1979, has been married to Theresa for thirty-seven years, and recently completed his Master's Degree in Theology. He has served for many years in relatively conservative evangelical churches, including two terms as elder at his current church. Daniel identifies as same-sex attracted, and feels a calling to minister to LGBTQ+ persons in the church. He resides in Orange, California and is 65.

“My journey regarding the intersection of faith and sexuality began the very moment I decided to follow Jesus—which happened immediately after my first sexual experience with another man, my high school best friend. I never questioned the traditional Christian sexual ethic, even though I knew my desires were contrary to God’s perfect design. And yet, in His mercy, God has faithfully led me for nearly 50 years in devotion to Him, even as my fundamental “aesthetic orientation” has not changed.

I began writing as a hobby in 2021, took a break while finishing seminary, and picked it back up after graduation. I believe I’ve been given a gift for storytelling, and I hope my essays can offer hope, encouragement, and deeper understanding to those who might do me the honor of reading them. People have told me I’m a “deep thinker,” which I take as a great compliment—and I think that reflects how I’ve been shaped to seek the deeper meaning of things. I hold a deep appreciation for self-awareness and see it as essential to spiritual growth.

In my writing for Revoice’s Our Voices Blog, I return often to themes of self-examination, vulnerability, and the pursuit of spiritual maturity. I enjoy engaging directly with Scripture in my essays, looking at how biblical truths apply not only to my life but also to the lives of those around me.” — Daniel

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