While Jesus was saying these things, a leader of the synagogue came to him. The leader bowed down before Jesus and said, "My daughter has just died. But come and touch her with your hand, and she will live again." So Jesus stood up and went with the leader. Jesus' followers went too.
There was a woman that had been bleeding for twelve years. The woman came behind Jesus and touched the bottom of his coat. The woman was thinking, "If I can touch his coat, then I will be healed." Jesus turned and saw the woman. Jesus said, "Be happy, dear woman. You are made well because you believed." Then the woman was healed.
- Matthew 9:18-22 (ERV)
THOUGHT:
Two powerful realizations are driven home by this story of the desperate and outcast woman.
First, even though her outward circumstances and personal demeanor are the opposite of the synagogue ruler with whom she shares the story, their core issue is the same: faith that Jesus can deliver them from their desperate concerns. They both act in bold ways to find that deliverance.
Second, in both stories, even though there is a huge crowd pressing upon Jesus, he ministers personally and specifically to the needs of the people. What so powerfully sets Jesus apart from healing charlatans is that he does not use these events to focus upon himself, but to personally minister to the needs of the people involved. These stories remind us again of how powerful it is that God would become human flesh to minister to us -- personally!
PRAYER:
Holy Father, thank you for your love and compassion in sending Jesus. I find it both awe inspiring and assuring to know that you walked among people and ministered to them personally, not just spectacularly, in Jesus. Thank you for reminding me that every human need, every desperate struggle, is known to you and agonized over by you. In Jesus' name I praise and thank you for this grace. Amen.
Related Scriptures:
10.When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.
13. Then Jesus said to the centurion, "Go! It will be done just as you believed it would." And his servant was healed at that very hour.
- Matt. 8:10, 13
Jesus said to the woman, "Because you believed, you are saved {from your sins}. Go in peace." - Luke 7:50
Then Jesus said to the man, "Stand up! You can go. You were healed because you believed." - Luke 17:19
Niciun comentariu:
Trimiteți un comentariu