Mark 5:27-29
Watching the winter Olympics this year we saw some spectacular performances. The athletes have been working nonstop to become the best in the world. There is desperation when these athletes take to the ice or snow. You have one shot to make it happen, no mistakes. It must be a flawless performance or the gold medal is lost. You must have complete faith in your abilities. For most of the athletes they will have trained well, have complete faith in their abilities, give it everything they got in the sports arena, and still fall short. Their efforts, no matter how well done, were not enough. The woman with the blood issue had tried everything she could for 12 long years. I can imagine that she tried every doctor she could find. She tried every home remedy someone suggested. Nothing she did fixed the problem. She needed Jesus.
This woman hears stories about Jesus and knows in her heart that Jesus could heal her. She has a desperate faith that if she could just get close and touch Jesus, she would be healed. In Israel during this time, men normally wore an outer garment that had four tassels attached. One on each shoulder, front and back of the garment. This most likely would have been a square garment with tassels on each corner. Kind of like a poncho. The tassels were to be a reminder to follow and do the “Word of God”, (Num. 15:38-41). We can imagine as the woman approaches Jesus she is reminded of the promises of God as she reaches for the back tassel. She is desperately trusting God and Jesus to heal her. She knows that if she can just touch Him, He doesn’t have to realize or recognize her. Her faith is driving her actions. How is your faith? Does it drive you to do good? Does your faith seek Jesus and His will for your life?
Olympic glory fades quickly. All the effort, all the things put on hold, for that one chance at glory. Our efforts for worldly glory and adulation will always fall short of fulfilment. This woman fully trusted Jesus to provide results that she could not attain on her own. Jesus healed the woman and brought her faith into the light. What the world couldn’t provide Jesus brought with just a touch. Maybe your life has gotten a little desperate and things aren’t as smooth as you expected. Trust in Jesus! Desperately pray for Jesus to intervene on your behalf. Go to Him with your burdens. Let your life build treasures and glory in heaven rather than earth. Seek Jesus, do good, and pray hard.
This woman hears stories about Jesus and knows in her heart that Jesus could heal her. She has a desperate faith that if she could just get close and touch Jesus, she would be healed. In Israel during this time, men normally wore an outer garment that had four tassels attached. One on each shoulder, front and back of the garment. This most likely would have been a square garment with tassels on each corner. Kind of like a poncho. The tassels were to be a reminder to follow and do the “Word of God”, (Num. 15:38-41). We can imagine as the woman approaches Jesus she is reminded of the promises of God as she reaches for the back tassel. She is desperately trusting God and Jesus to heal her. She knows that if she can just touch Him, He doesn’t have to realize or recognize her. Her faith is driving her actions. How is your faith? Does it drive you to do good? Does your faith seek Jesus and His will for your life?
Olympic glory fades quickly. All the effort, all the things put on hold, for that one chance at glory. Our efforts for worldly glory and adulation will always fall short of fulfilment. This woman fully trusted Jesus to provide results that she could not attain on her own. Jesus healed the woman and brought her faith into the light. What the world couldn’t provide Jesus brought with just a touch. Maybe your life has gotten a little desperate and things aren’t as smooth as you expected. Trust in Jesus! Desperately pray for Jesus to intervene on your behalf. Go to Him with your burdens. Let your life build treasures and glory in heaven rather than earth. Seek Jesus, do good, and pray hard.
Posted in Devotional