On My Mind...
She was at her wit’s end. Alone, ostracized, on the outside looking in. Bitterness plagued her. Disappointment was her constant companion. She had battle illness for so long. Doctors were no help. She had spent a fortune, and she was no better. Twelve years she struggled, now frail, weary and desperate she was on the verge of giving up. That’s when it happened. She heard noise in the street. A crowd was gathering. Word was “the rabbi” was in town. Where it came from, she wasn’t sure, but she got this crazy idea, “If I could just touch the hem of his garment – maybe that would do it. If I could just touch him – I could be made whole.” Desperate people are willing to try anything. Though unclean, she joined the crowd clamoring to get a look at him as he made his way through town. Elbowing her way, pushing past eager on-lookers, she finally saw him. In an act of desperation she reached out to him and her hand brushed the hem of his robe. Instantly she was whole! She wasn’t sure how she knew, but somehow, she knew – the sickness was gone. The rabbi stopped, “Who touched me?”
Though the street was crowded with people, she saw no one but Jesus. His eyes locked on her. “Daughter, your faith has made you whole.” She ran to him, throwing herself at his feet she told her whole story. This nameless suffering woman with weak, flawed faith, became a trophy of his grace. Can you identify with this woman? Oh, maybe it’s not a 12-year illness but you know what it’s like to want to give up. You know what it is to be weary and frustrated. You know what it means to be hopeless. Look to Jesus. Look to the one who has shown himself as the friend of sinners. Look to the one who gives life and hope to the needy. Look to him who calls, “Come unto me, all who are weak and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” Bring your weak, flawed faith to the one who is able to save to the uttermost. You will find he is worthy of your trust. Take some time to read her story today in Matthew chapter 9. You will also find a few other desperate folks in that chapter. They will all testify to his grace and mercy.
I will see you Sunday as we gather for worship. Have a blessed week!
Rod
Though the street was crowded with people, she saw no one but Jesus. His eyes locked on her. “Daughter, your faith has made you whole.” She ran to him, throwing herself at his feet she told her whole story. This nameless suffering woman with weak, flawed faith, became a trophy of his grace. Can you identify with this woman? Oh, maybe it’s not a 12-year illness but you know what it’s like to want to give up. You know what it is to be weary and frustrated. You know what it means to be hopeless. Look to Jesus. Look to the one who has shown himself as the friend of sinners. Look to the one who gives life and hope to the needy. Look to him who calls, “Come unto me, all who are weak and heavy laden and I will give you rest.” Bring your weak, flawed faith to the one who is able to save to the uttermost. You will find he is worthy of your trust. Take some time to read her story today in Matthew chapter 9. You will also find a few other desperate folks in that chapter. They will all testify to his grace and mercy.
I will see you Sunday as we gather for worship. Have a blessed week!
Rod