"12 Years"

April 5, 2013

“12 Years”

Blessings Folk!

Today’s reading:
Matthew 9:18-26
Mark 5:21-43
Luke 8:40-56

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What an intense moment.

Most have heard about the woman “with the issue of blood,” but did you know the context.

Jesus had been approached by an official of the synagogue.

This would likely cost this man his “career”, but he cared not.

His daughter was at the point of death...as good as dead.
He came to Jesus in despair and worship, bowing before Him.
He came to Jesus in faith, “Come, lay Your hand on her and she will live.”
Jesus got up and followed him.

It is while Jesus is on the way to the official’s place that the woman reached out and touched Jesus.

She had suffered.
Suffered a 12 year illness of hemorrhaging.
Suffered at the hands of the physicians.
Suffered the rejection of the people...she was considered unclean.
Suffered in not being able to worship before the Lord...unclean.

But she believed something.
She knew.
If she could just touch Jesus.
So, pressing in among the crowd she did.

By faith, her faith and belief, virtue flowed from Jesus and healed her.

Jesus inquired who had touched Him.

She came forward.

News came.
The imminent death of the official’s (Jairus) daughter had come.

Hear the Word of the Lord.
“Do not be afraid.”
“Only believe.”

When Jesus arrived at the house he removed all the distractions of doubt, fear, sorry and weeping over death.

Note how the people mocked Jesus.

Still, He pressed on.

Up arose the girl...at the Word of the Lord.

She was 12.
The lady had been ill 12 years.
(There as some interesting parallels beyond the scope of our time together here.)

For us…
Fear not.
Doubt not.
Believe.