What hinders us from getting close to Jesus? My friend Harry, who has lived with his wife Dagmar in Jerusalem over twenty years, recently shared lesser-known details of the story of the woman in Mark 5 who fought through the crowd to reach Jesus. “Do you know it was unlawful for the woman to touch Jesus or any other man? According to Jewish law, she was bleeding and therefore wasn’t qualified to touch any man – not even their garments.”
So, if the woman had asked for permission to get close to Jesus in order to be healed, she would have been denied. But Jesus knew the purpose of the Law… and he knew he had come to truly fulfill the Law and the Prophets. This woman was a ‘bruised reed’ and he would not break her. Matthew, quoting Isaiah: “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he leads justice to victory.”
Yes, there are many things that hinder us from getting close to God – sin, lack of faith, lack of knowledge – but the good news is that Jesus is able to overcome them all. He’s paid the price for our sin. He’s the Author and Perfecter of faith. He is the Source of all knowledge. His arms are open wide as he says, “Come!”
God forbid that anything or anyone prevent man’s most important quest. Even well-meaning disciples can be a hindrance if comprehension of the Savior is too weak. “Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’ When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.” (Matt. 10:13-15)
It is interesting that the very next story in Matthew 10 is of the rich young man who asked how to get eternal life. After witnessing the interchange between this man and Jesus, the disciples were really confused. Their Master had just welcomed children who had nothing to offer and seemingly rejected one who had everything. But Jesus had simply told a seeker the truth and the young man allowed his wealth to hinder him. Jesus then taught his followers: “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
So here’s our answer: Many things can hinder a man or woman from getting close to Jesus, but nothing is impossible for God to overcome. Jesus says: “Come to me. Believe in me. Listen to me. Obey me. Cast your cares on me. Trust me. Love me. Follow me.”
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6