In Mark chapter 5, two stories intertwine the lives of two women who need physical healing. As the To Be Praised community of women, some of our lives are intertwined with one another. Some of us have shared laughs and tears. Some of us have shared prayers of thanksgiving and supplication. Others have shared meals, photos and funny stories. I believe in genuine, loving relationships held in the hearts of women bound together by their common love for God and His power. After all, if God has intertwined the stories of women in Biblical text, wouldn’t He continue to intertwine them in our physical lives?
The first woman we meet is the daughter of a synagogue official named Jarius. In 2016, we could consider this person a member of Congress or another political figure. It’s poignant that someone of his social and spiritual stature falls at the feet of Jesus and implores him to visit his ailing daughter. I’m learning, in the most humbling way, that physical affliction is a gloomy cloud that hovers over all of us at some point or another. The urgency of Jarius is met with the love of Christ, and Jesus agrees to travel with him to heal his daughter.
But, in the midst of their journey another woman is in need of Jesus. She is among the crowd of individuals who press into Him, the source of all healing. In desperation, she reaches for the very garment of our Savior believing in faith that this small action would change her life. And it does.
Jesus tells her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction.” – Mark 5:34
In moments of desperation and in moments of peace, I hope your faith forces you to press into Jesus believing He is your healer. When every other physician tells you “no” trust that the Great Physician will say “your faith has made you well”.
Jesus continues to travel and walks into the house of the official and overhears the news that the official’s daughter is dead. It could seem as though Jesus was so preoccupied with one woman that He neglected another. It could seem as though Jesus was untimely. But, none of that would be true. Time does not limit the miraculous hand of Jesus, our faith does.
“Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.” – Mark 5:36
…and it’s clear this prestigious man did believe because our Savior, our Healer raised the young woman from the dead. What great testament to God’s faithfulness. We can trust that we will see the faithful hand of God when we believe. There is enough Jesus for all of us! Every woman, everywhere whether she is near death or in a crowded room can be healed if she believes in the Healer and His power.
What do you believe in? Who do you believe in? If your faith has been shaky lately, remember the words of Jesus: “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe”.
