I’d like to share with you a story I am reading from Mark 5 (also found in Matthew 9 & Luke 8). I’m going to share this story as if I were actually a by-stander in the crowd that day. I hope you’ll enjoy my view of what happened and share your own perspective in how this story speaks/spoke to you too. I am reading from an NLT version of the Bible. For the record this (my version of the story as given below) is not the exact text from the Bible in any translation. As stated i’m telling the story from a different point of view as if I were there that day and what I might have seen. I have woven in the true biblical story. The words in red are those spoken by Jesus himself and are his exact words.
“So here we all were, the people of the town that is- some believers in this Jesus and some not but curious none the less. Jesus and his disciples were walking amongst us with Jarius, the synagogue leader, in route to his home. The talk around town that day was that Jarius daughter had taken ill and Jesus was going to see her. As Jesus walked through our streets people were shouting, singing praises, dancing, watching from rooftops, and leaning out their windows. There was this excitement in the air that he was near us. Who knew perhaps he’d heal or teach or just sit amongst us and talk. We all wanted to have time with him to ourselves but there were just so many people. As I was trying to push my way in between others to catch a glimpse of Jesus there was a sick woman who passed me by. I had never seen her before and i’d lived in this town my whole life. She leaned out to touch him but as she did she started to fall and her hand caught just the last piece of his clothing as he passed by. Suddenly, Jesus stopped and asked, ‘Who touched me?’No one spoke up, not even me. Peter, one of the disciples said to Jesus that there were many around pushing and crowding them how could he ever know who touched him. Jesus explained that power had gone out. By this time everyone was hushed because we all wanted to hear what he would speak. This trembling woman walked to Jesus and fell at his feet. Everyone within earshot heard her testify! She shared of how she had been sick for some years and had sought help to the point of her last penny. Also, how she had believed that if only she could touch the edge of his garment healing would take place and it did. It did! She was healed immediately! Jesus spoke to her saying, ‘Daughter, be encouraged. Your faith has made you well. Go in peace!’ I stood there watching this whole miracle take place before my eyes. I had heard of Jesus miracles before, of course, these were second hand stories though. Therefore, I was aware of what he could do but greater than the miracle was how loving He was. He just stopped right there and wanted to hear from this woman personally about her struggle. I saw the love and compassion in His eyes as he looked her in the face and patiently listened. He even called her ‘daughter.’ She wasn’t a child born of him in the flesh. I learned her sickness had made her an outcast in our town, but to Jesus she was just like the rest of us. What a day this was!”
I have been studying this story for two weeks now. The things and lessons i’ve learned have been more than anticipated. I thought i’d share some of my thoughts on this with you and you do the same.
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First thing I noticed is that Jesus called her ‘daughter.’ That to me is a very personal way to address a stranger. Well, this woman was really no stranger to Him since He knows the hairs on our heads and everything about us since the beginning of time. Point being i wouldn’t walk up to the cashier at Wal-Mart and say, “Hey Mom! Your healed! Go in peace!” I’d like to think that Jesus was pointing out that she had been an outcast among men (earthly men) but never to the Man it matters most. I’m so blown away that He is so personal with all of us throughout our lives. From the small to the big. I too am His daughter. Looked down upon with love, favor, grace, mercy, and on & on it goes.
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I’m also fascinated with the fact that the woman was healed when she touched the garment, not Jesus. The point is not that He has to physically touch or not. It just makes me wonder about the vastness of His holiness. Can you imagine the beauty of a robe that is worn by THE King of Kings as He sits in the throne of heaven? I’ve tried to picture it but I can’t think of anything that is worthy enough. Let alone could show how great He is.
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Jesus took the time to ask ‘Who touched me?’ when He didn’t need to. But Jesus did. He cares so much about us that he wants to hear from us. Sometimes I say to myself i don’t need to communicate with the Lord about my health issues because He already knows so i’ll just trust. He does want me to talk to about them. Even though I have faith in His sovereign will He wants to hear my voice, concerns, and/or faith in Him.
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This story was faith in action. She touched his clothing because of her faith (a confident reliance in Him). Jarius had humbled himself before the Lord because of his faith. What ought i be doing because of my faith in Christ?
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Lastly, I believe if this view point were really accurate think of how this woman’s testifying could have changed all those others hearing in a remarkable way. Perhaps Jesus’ wanting to hear from the sick woman did something for her emotionally & spiritually all while giving great glory to the Father. See I believe that these situations we encounter in life all have a double blessing. We may not always see or be aware of it but it is happening none the less. I look backwards and see lots of these moments. Do you? Many times i’ve said to myself that the more times I share about my accident the more i’m healed in the deepest parts of me. Perhaps because every time i speak of His grace I personally come to know a bit more of how truly merciful and mighty this Heavenly Father of ours is and that alone is a healing balm like no other.
This exercise I just shared with you is one of the steps in my speaking book. It helps me to put myself into these Bible lessons and make them relevant to me. It helps me to break down the story and disect it for truths the Lord wants me to know at this time in my life. So now that you know what i’m up to while we’re talking about healing balms I want to leave you with a good laugh.
My mom was hurting one day and was laid out on the bed. She asked Carl (my step father) to get her the Tiger’s Balm out and rub in on her hurting spot- must have been somewhere on her back. So Carl goes to the medicine cabinet and pulls out this little jar pops the top off and starts to rub it on mother. Mom is wondering how the heck the Tiger’s balm got smelling fruity when it dawns on her that she had lip gloss in a jar that smelled just like that. She tells Carl to let her see what he’s got and sure enough it’s the Lip Gloss. <For those of you not aware of what Tigers Balm is let me enlighten. It’s like a Icy Hot in a more earthy form and let me say… It’ll put the FIRE in your muscles for 24 hours +.> Lesson: Be leery, very leery when your husband starts rubbing you down with fruity lip gloss!
