FAITH REWARDED

Mark 5:21-43

Saturday, 03 December 2022

He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”’ – Mark 5:34

Our reading today points to two instances of healing received from the Lord Jesus. Both involved a common ingredient-FAITH. Both the sick woman and Jairus whose daughter was sick came to the right source of healing- Jesus Himself! They would had heard reports of how Jesus healed the sick. Their faith that Jesus could heal, came through the hearing of Christ. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17 NASB) But there are differences in the expression of their faith expressed.

Faith of the Sick woman: The woman who had the issue of blood for 12 years, so yearned for a healing. After trying all means to be healed of her infirmity and finding none, she would have been completely worn out. One last straw of hope would have pushed her out of the home to the streets desperate to get across the Great Physician of whom she heard. Being a woman and jostled by the crowd she knew it would be difficult to even come near Him; but she did not give up hope. Her faith in Jesus stirred up within her which led to the next action: “…she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. For she thought, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.”(Vs.27,28). She woman received her healing instantly and Jesus commended her faith: “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction.” (Vs.34)

Faith of Jairus: He too had heard of Jesus healing the sick and approached Jesus to go to his house to heal his dying daughter. Another desperate situation! But when Jesus was delayed, and people brought the reports of her death, he could have conceded not to trouble Him further. There are no more expressions of faith written of Jairus here. It was Jesus who tried to stir up his faith: “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.”(vs.36). The people around him and even at his house were full of unbelief! Unbelief stands in the way of healing. So Jesus sent out all those of utter unbelief while He went in and brought life back into the girl!

In both the instances Faith worked—but in one it was her absolute faith in her Saviour while in the other case, it was faith Jesus had to instill in first before the miracle took place. The very foundation of Christianity is Faith in God! Hebrews 11:6 says, '"And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” The first faith is to trust in the salvation God has provided through His Son and receive it; then comes the walk of faith until we reach eternity- that is a daily one. There are times our faith is put to test; at other times when we have to put our faith to test- to work!! Applying our faith in God and His Word is the way Christian life works.

Dear bother/sister, what desperate situation in life are you at? Run to Christ with Faith in Him and His Word for your situation. Ask Him for a promise in His Word for your circumstance and pray in faith trusting God to work! Great was the faith of the sick woman who believed that just a touch of at the hem of Jesus’ garment was enough to heal her. Let such faith arise from our heart as we trust God for His hand of intervention on us!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: “Let God’s promises shine on your problems.” –Corrie ten Boom

Listen - 'I lift my hands '