I was reading Mark 5 today where we find the story of the woman who was bleeding for 12 whole years, with no recourse, no solution to her problem, even though she spent all of her money for medical advice. It happened that "she heard about Jesus". Do you wonder what she heard?
Here's how Joseph Prince surmises it went: "She had heard many wonderful stories of the carpenter from the little town of Nazareth. How He walked all over Galilee teaching about a God whom He affectionately referred to as His 'Father'. How He taught about the love of this Father-God. How miracles were performed by His hands. How He healed all who came to Him...Eyewitness accounts of meetings with this Man were told and retold in vivid detail: how His eyes and voice carried such warmth, tenderness, and humility that even the despised tax collectors, unclean lepers, disdained criminals, and scorned prostitutes - in fact, all who usually hid in the shadows - would venture out to follow Him wherever He went...whatever she had heard about this Jesus imparted an audacious sense of Bible hope and confidence in her. And this imbued her with a boldness and tenacity to risk everything just to touch the hem of His garment..." (The Power of Right Believing, pp 283, 286).
She was one of those outcasts who had to stay out of sight. Her condition labeled her as "unclean" and no one was to touch her or anything that she touched. But what she heard inspired her to believe that she could actually receive healing. It gave her the courage to press through a throng, which would not have been at all easy for a frail, depleted woman. It made her disregard the laws that threatened her with stoning for being in contact with all these "clean" people. How convinced she had to have been!
The end result was that when she just touched the hem of His garment, she knew instantly that she was healed, that "the fountain of her blood was dried up". What a glorious, exulting feeling!
But, oh, no! Jesus had stopped and turned and asked, "Who touched Me?" Surely, He wouldn't chastise her for her boldness, her audacity in thinking that a miserable, wretched little nobody like her would dare to reach out like that and assume that even she could receive healing, would He? Surely, she wouldn't have to be exposed for breaking the Old Testament laws and now be in danger of reprisal from the religious leaders, would she?
She, "fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth". In a society where women were of no value, Jesus responded to her by warmly referring to her as "daughter". No rejection, no criticism, no displeasure. He assured her "your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be healed of your affliction."
Can you imagine the waves of relief, joy, gratitude that swept through her, the tears of humble thankfulness, the words of love and praise that spilled out of her?
The question I want to ask is, what have you heard about Jesus? Is He some distant figure out of the past who has no significance in your life today? Or do you recognize that He is the "same yesterday, today and forever"? Still the same accepting, loving, caring, compassionate Saviour, still the same mighty healer and miracle worker? That He has promised never, ever to leave or desert or forsake us? That He sweeps us all in with the term "daughter" or "son"?
We come to the Father in the name of Jesus. Jesus made it clear that He and His Father are One. Come boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and grace to help in every time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Come and ask Him for the little details and also the big, bold, daring dreams in your life. Go ahead and ask because He's waiting for you. He loves when we depend on Him. If sinful earthly parents know how to give good to their children, "how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:11).
Open your ears to hear. And receive bold, confident faith and hope.
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