Many people have had some contact with Jesus Christ in the sense that they have heard of him or know something about him. Sadly this is declining and there is less contact with him. More people know very little about him, or nothing at all. Yet with the abundant circulation of the Bible teaching about God and His Son “has gone out to all the earth” (Romans 10:18) as was predicted (Matthew 24:14).

We read in Luke 8 of the healing of a woman who had been suffering for 12 years with a “discharge of blood” (8:43). She had spent all her money in trying to be healed. She came in “the crowds” that “were surrounding him”; note how keen they were to hear him, a contrast to today. This woman came and had the remarkable notion that it would help her if she could just touch him.

When “Jesus said, ‘Who was it that touched me?’”, Peter responds, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you”. Jesus answered, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me” (verse 46). Perhaps it is how you touch Jesus that makes the difference; what is uppermost in your mind, and what is the urgency of your need to know and have a relationship with him? These things makes all the difference in your life. It is more more than gaining an intellectual understanding. It is vital to reach out and touch Jesus with an understanding of what a true relationship with him means.

Those who do this establish an ongoing relationship that will become eternal. Such become one of his people – they take on his name and the verses in the Psalm we read today become more meaningful for them. “Your name O LORD, endures forever, your renown, O LORD, throughout all ages. For the LORD will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants” (Psalm 135:13,14).

Let us take on his name and appreciate the privilege and responsibility of bearing it. Then when Jesus returns our lives will be vindicated (i.e., assessed as righteous) and we will “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever”.