Simple. Faith.

I confess that I often gloss over the many miracles of Jesus and instead look for something profound or something I've not noticed before or something pulling from the Old Testament. But I think it's important for me to be impressed with his miracles because that is why the gospels writers recorded them - that we would read or hear, be convinced that Jesus was the Son of God, and put our faith in Him.

I like the story of the woman who was healed after touching Jesus' garment. There are a few principles of faith that I learned from this passage of which I'll share. 

Mark 5:24-34

Woman's Faith

1. Her faith came after she had hit rock bottom. She had spent all she had on doctors, was no better but grew worse. What encouragement if we can manage to remind ourselves. How can we come to Christ? When we lose faith in all else. Be of good cheer when all you have to lean on is Christ!

2. Her faith was simple. It amounted to: I need help, he will help me. That's it. Did she have to grab his clothes a certain way? Strongly or lightly? The bottom or the top of his clothes? Did she have to pull? None of this mattered. My faith often comes with some baggage, some stipulations. But this is not right nor of faith. 

3. Her faith had one object, Jesus. Jesus was the beginning and end of her faith. 

4. Her faith preceded understanding. After touching Jesus she was healed, Mark says she felt it. But when Jesus looked around asking who touched him, in what tone we do not know, she fell down in fear and trembling and told him the whole truth. The reason (I think) is that she didn't really know Jesus and was a bit afraid of Him. Perhaps she thought he'd be upset with her for being so inappropriate. Oh what pleasant delight she must have felt after his kind assurance. 

Jesus' Response to her Faith. 

1. He affirms her healing. She was healed says Mark but was still afraid. How often are we afraid of something or worry about something. Instead of finding the root through the long and winding road of uncertainty perhaps we should better take solace in Jesus' words, "Daughter, your faith has made you well...". I ask myself if all winding roads lead back to our faith in Christ...

2. "Go in Peace.." what wonderful medicine! That's it. How does this woman go forth from here, after experiencing the most amazing thing that has ever happened to her? "Go in Peace..." this, from the Prince of Peace. It is why Jesus came, to give us peace with God. 

Rejoice today in a God who shed his own blood for our healing and peace! Our work? Believe and go in peace!