KNOCK ON WOOD

Having heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his clothing. Mark 5:27

Have you ever been talking about something that you wanted to happen or maybe something that you didn’t want to ever happen again and you looked to find some wood so that you could “knock on wood”? It’s funny how this ancient superstition of knocking on wood still pops up, even in followers of Jesus. I know I’ve said it many times as I looked for some wood to “knock on”.

I’m not a superstitious person – I don’t throw salt over my shoulder or avoid walking under ladders, and yet I still look for wood to ward off the loss of something positive or to avoid something negative.

I often think about the contrast between my faith in Jesus and my superstitious outward action. When I fear losing a blessing, or fear something unpleasant, shouldn’t my automatic response be to touch Jesus rather than touch wood?

Touch Jesus is what we should want our go-to response to be in all circumstances. We should want the same kind of deliberate, focused intent as the woman in the Bible who pressed through the crowds of people to touch His cloak, knowing that one touch would ensure her healing. We shouldn’t just touch Jesus as a superstitious ritual when we think we might lose a blessing, or to avoid a catastrophe – We should want to stay in touch with Him at all times.

Dear Lord, help us always to reach out to touch You in our need, knowing that you will always respond. Amen.

Pastor Ruth