He has shown you what is good and what the Lord requires of you -- do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him …

When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake …Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet … ...A large crowd followed and pressed around him …  When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak.

(Mark 5:2, 21, 22, 24, 27)

No matter where Jesus goes we see him being pursued by crowds and tracked down by those who are suffering. At the beginning of this chapter a man troubled with evil spirits and mental health issues comes to Jesus for help. Later, as He leaves that area and arrives on the shores of a new town large crowds come to Jesus, followed by a man whose daughter is dying. Then a woman plagued by twelve years of bleeding seeks Him out. These events all occur in the span of a day or two.

What is the deal with Jesus’ magnetism? Who is attracted to it, and who is blessed by it? Let’s look a little closer. 

Most striking to me is that people from all walks of life seek Jesus out. First, the man who is filled with evil spirits rushes at Jesus and falls at his feet. He lives among the tombs and has been cast out from society for years. He cuts himself and cries out loudly. He's been chained because he's so out of control, and he even breaks through those chains. This troubled man recognizes Jesus' power.

Then a synagogue leader named Jairus seeks Jesus out, as well as an outcast woman whose long-term hemorrhaging has drained both her vitality and her resources. Jairus falls at Jesus' feet, and both he and the woman know if they can just get to Jesus He will bring healing.

You see Jesus is not here for just one group or another, or one type of person or another. From synagogue leaders to outcasts, from troubled spirits to mentally stable, Jews to Greeks -- Jesus has compassion on them all. 

There is no trait shared by those whom Jesus heals but one. What unifies them is their belief in His power and their utter dependence on it. They have sought all other avenues, but nothing else works. They’ve spent years and life savings to no avail. They are at the end of their rope, and they come to Jesus.  They fall at His feet. They reach for Him and know in their heart of hearts that He's the one they need. 

They recognize their utter hopelessness, and Jesus is there for them.

Mercy rains down on them. Their minds, bodies and spirits are revived. They encounter Jesus and walk away healed, whole, and well.

Lord, may I yield to your magnetism. May I recognize you as my only hope, my saving grace. May I come to you, press in to you and long to touch even just your cloak. May I also be there for others who are suffering. May I reflect your mercy and draw people to You. Amen.