Does your faith measure up?

 

One day, a synagogue leader named Jarius, pleaded with Jesus to come and heal his daughter. 

So Jesus went with him, and a large crowd followed and pressed around Him. And a woman was there who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years. She had borne much agony under the care of many physicians and had spent all she had, but to no avail. Instead, her condition had only grown worse. When the woman heard about Jesus, she came up through the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. For she kept saying, "If only I touch His garments, I will be healed." Immediately her bleeding stopped, and she sensed in her body that she was healed of her affliction. At once Jesus was aware that power had gone out from Him. Turning to the crowd, He asked, "Who touched my garments?" His disciples answered, “You can see the crowd pressing in on You, and yet You ask, ‘Who touched Me?’ ” But He kept looking around to see who had done this. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him trembling in fear, and she told Him the whole truth. “Daughter,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be free of your affliction.” (Mark 5:24 onwards)

Let us consider the actions of this woman for a moment. She had been suffering from an illness that was getting worse for a long time. She had heard about Jesus. No doubt she heard stories about His miracles and His healing many people. 

She thought ... if only ... if only I could get close enough to Him and touch Hid garments, I know I'll be healed. I don't even have to ask Him. He is so powerful, so almighty, that just touching Him will heal me. Just touching Him. Compared to all the money I spent on doctors over the years ... just touching Him.

Can you imagine the level of faith she had? To know for certain that she will be healed by Jesus just by touching Him?

Do you have that much faith when you pray to God for healing, or for some favour? Do I have that much faith?

Are we sure in our prayers that they will be heard and answered by God? How does our faith compare to that of this woman?

Notice that Jesus says, "Daughter, your faith has healed you."

Often we read that when Jesus heals someone He mentions that their faith has healed them. Does He ever say that to us? "Your faith has made your prayers answered."

Notice also that Jesus calls her "Daughter". I don't think there's any other instance where He calls someone "Son" or "Daughter".

In this case, He is reminding her, and us, that we are all children of God.