Today in God's Word—May 2023
East Tallassee Church of Christ
May 15, Mark 5
Her life had been miserable for twelve years. The constant loss of blood had drained her physical vitality. The embarrassment, inconvenience and social ostracism she suffered because of the blood flow had taken a different, but no less difficult toll on her psychological well-being. The doctors made her worse instead of better, taking all her money in the process. She was desperate.
She heard what Jesus had been doing, healing all kinds of diseases and conditions. The reports kindled a spark of hope and faith within her. She braved the surging crowd, struggled to get close enough to touch him, believing that doing so would make her well. She was right, and she knew it right away. Jesus knew it, too, and turned around to see her. His motive was not to humiliate her for what she did, but to commend her faith. He pronounced her healed and dismissed her to go in peace.
Faith comes from hearing the message. The woman’s faith was not crafted through extensive theological training or hermeneutical exercise. (The people with those credentials weren’t coming to faith, even when they saw the miracles with their own eyes.) She simply heard the reports spread by word of mouth about all the sickness, injury and demon possession Jesus had healed and cast out. She made a personal application to her own desperate situation. Her faith went beyond believing it had happened to others to seeing how it could happen to her. Faith trusts that the message is true, and acts to receive the blessing. More than physical strength or bold courage, it was faith that led her
through the crowd to reach out and touch the one she believed could heal her.
The synagogue ruler had a similar exhibition of courageous trust. He did not care what the Jewish establishment might think or do about his display of confidence in Jesus. His daughter was dying and he was desperate. He fell down before Jesus, asking what he trusted Jesus could do for his sick little girl. Such faith pleases God, and he knows who approaches him in trusting faith. He has no trouble sorting out the touch of faith from the incidental contact of the curious. The onlookers may dismiss our request as impossible or even laugh, but the trusting ones keep looking to the one they trust to accomplish what they’re asking him to do.
Aren’t we more likely to come to Christ when we know we have no other alternative, when all else we’ve tried has failed? As long as I think I can handle my problem, or believe there are many possible alternatives to explore, I’m not going to see Jesus as my only hope. If you and I are worried about what others may think or what consequences we may face at the hands of unbelievers, we’re not close to the level of trust this woman and man showed.
From The Abiding Companion: A Friendly Guide for Your Journey Through the New Testament, Copyright © 2010 by Michael B. McElroy. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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