One in the Crowd

By Jeff K. Walters

And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!”  Luke 8:45

 This verse comes from the time in Jesus’ ministry when he was surrounded by crowds, and a very sick woman touched the hem of his garment.  Through that simple act of faith, Jesus healed her long illness.  Before that, though, Jesus noticed that someone had touched him.  He asked, and Peter responded with astonishment – after all, with all those people pressing in, how could Jesus know somebody touched him?  But Jesus did.

 Jesus reached into the crowd, found the one who needed Him, and healed her.

 In cities, we are surrounded every day by crowds of people in need of Jesus.  Subways, buses, shopping centers, cafes, parks – it can seem overwhelming.  I’m sometimes asked how we can know who in such a throng of people to approach, who to speak to.  Obviously, we don’t have what Jesus had in terms of insight.  What we do have is Jesus.  We have the Holy Spirit.  So, we pray and stay ready.

 It is by such prayers that our cities will be reached.  I’m praying today for that one in the crowd whom Jesus has prepared to hear Good News, then the next one and the next one.  I’m asking God to give me eyes to see and ears to hear so that I’m not so overwhelmed by the multitudes that I miss that one.

 Will you?

 Jeff K. Walters, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Christian Missions & Urban Ministry
The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

This article originally appeared at ethnecity.com.