Come in faith

(Mark 5:24-34)

The crowd is huge and the air is filled with excitement. There is a new prophet, and word is that he can heal any illness. He is even able to cast demons out. Everyone wants to get close to him, and so does she.

She pushes her way forward, knowing that if she is noticed by someone who knows her, she will be judged, stoned and killed. She doesn't care anymore. She has nothing left. The doctors have taken all her money and she's tried every available cure, but nothing worked. Her life for the past twelve years has been characterized by uncontrollable blood flow. And in a society where a woman cannot go near others while she is bleeding, it means a closet existence. They must have wondered what she did to deserve such a fate.

Her heart gives an extra beat. She can see him now; he looks so ordinary. She knows he cannot only be a prophet. She's been to many healers and prophets. So much has been stolen from her. She's heard all the rumors, but there is only one that she believes. He is the Son of God.

She falls down. A man looks at her and continues to push forward. Another kicks her and then a foot lands on her hand. It hurts but is not as terrible as the fear that she might not make it. She crawls forward. He is out of sight, but somehow she knows that he must be close. Then suddenly, she sees his cloak. If only she can touch it, she knows she will be healed. He won't even notice, not with so many people around.

She touches his cloak and immediately feels the bleeding stop. He turns around and asks: "Who touched my clothes?" What a question! There are hundreds of people around him, pressing and pushing, and he asks who touched him?

She now knows for certain that they will kill her. Trembling with fear, she comes forward, realizing that he if noticed, he will also know if she tries to run away. She falls down in front of his feet and tells him everything. Instead of scorn, he says: "Daughter, your faith has healed you, go in peace and be freed from your suffering."

Have you ever been so desperate for the Lord that you would risk everything to get close to Him? Have you ever been so in need of His healing power, His love, and His forgiveness that you are willing to face judgment, scorn and death? That woman knew all about it. She suffered for so many years and was cast out. There were hundreds of people around Jesus that day, but none of them made such a claim on Him that He would feel power flow from Him.

The difference between them and her was faith. They also wanted to be close to Him, but not with all of their hearts. They didn't realize that they were in the presence of God's only Son, Jesus, and our Savior. He was just a miracle worker. They admired Him and enjoyed listening to Him. Some of them may have been there just because He was the new thing and they didn't want to miss out. She on the other hand believed in Him as Son of God. For anyone to go through the trouble she went through to get near Him and touch Him, risking everything, they would have needed faith.

We experience it today as well. There are thousands of people who call on God and call on the Name of Jesus. Millions claim to know God, but not everyone have such an experience with God. We need to hunger for the Lord, because we know He is. We need to earnestly seek Him with all of our hearts since He says that He will not turn anyone away. He is waiting for someone to reach out in faith.

If you have lost it all, have been ill for many years, are desperate to know God, have searched for answers everywhere, and have felt that somewhere you got lost in the crowd, don't despair. Hundreds of people surrounded Jesus and He noticed that one woman who came to Him in faith. God knows each person. He has called us each by our name, even before we were born. He already knew us. He counts every hair on your head. That is how concerned He is with your well-being. He is patiently waiting to do well unto you. He wants to bless you. He has already forgiven you and He has loved you forever. He sees you and listens to you. Let's seek Him with all of hearts, not because its fashionable or because it's the right thing to do, but because we hunger for Him, knowing that He answers even before we call.

Permission is granted for the reprint of the above article as long as the following words appear with it: Permission for reprint has been given by Glory2Jesus. Author : Isebell Gauche. No part of the content may be replaced or changed without permission of the author. Visit http://www.Glory2Jesus.co.za for more Christian reading material.