"And there was a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years…(who) came up behind (Jesus) in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, "If I touch even his garments I shall be made well."

And immediately the hemorrhage ceased; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone forth from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, "Who touched my garments?… Daughter, your faith has made you well, go in peace…" Selections from Mark 5:25-34

I think we often forget the humanity side of Jesus. We think of Him from the perspective of His resurrection and forget that while He was a man He suffered all the limitations that go with this fragile frame. When we read of Him healing people and doing other miracles, it sounds like it was so easy; like it really did not require much effort at all on His part. This story in Mark 5 about the woman who touched His garments and was healed reminds us of something we all too often forget: every time He healed someone it took something out of Him.

Like all of us, Jesus’ labors took effort and energy and sometimes He, like us, was physically worn out. Professionals today talk about burn out in those emotionally demanding careers like social work and counseling. We have diets, exercises and all kinds of experts trying to tell us how to have more energy to do the things we want. How did Jesus do it? Anyone who reads the record will get the picture that Jesus was a person who was fueled by years of studying the scriptures and a disciplined habit of quiet times of prayer. During these times, it appears, God was able to put back the power that had passed from Him in His work to help others.

We would do well to develop the same patterns of regeneration in our lives: reading the Bible and prayerfully speaking to God and listening to what God may be saying to us would be a good habit for young and old alike. In addition, we might appreciate all the more, as we recognize His human side, how much Jesus gave for us on the cross when He gave Himself to heal ALL of us. Anyone who would do that much for me is someone I want to get to know better! Reading about Him and talking to Him seems to be the only sensible way to do that.