He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” Mark 5:34 (NIV)
We often feel ashamed and live fearing others will reject us if they knew our real story. Today’s devotion is one I read by Katie Davis Majors, author of Kisses from Katie. I hope it reminds us God knows our stories, and He loves us unconditionally. There are no stories beyond the healing power of Jesus.
He looked into their eyes, both of them.
He shouldn’t have even been talking with the woman at the well because of her race. The woman with the issue of blood shouldn’t have even been near Him because of her uncleanliness. I shouldn’t even be allowed to approach Holy God because of my sin.
But Jesus. He looked into their eyes. He stopped what He was doing, stopped in the hustle and bustle of the day. And His gentle voice held their hearts as He spoke, “Daughter.”
We are just like them.
I am the Samaritan woman hiding from my sin in the heat of the day. My secrets take different forms than 5 former husbands, but I hide them just the same, down deep so that people won’t see. I wonder why He is even speaking to me, so ordinary. Doesn’t He know my faults? He does. And His desire is to heal, to comfort, to uplift. His desire is that I would know the lines under his eyes and the beads of sweat on his forehead and the lilt of his voice just as intimately as she did. My sin leaves me thirsty and I long for living water. I yearn for it and He gives it freely.
I am the woman with the issue of blood – persistent sickness in need of a Healer. Except I am a woman with the issue of sin instead, in need of a Savior to wash me clean. I am chasing after Him, reaching toward Him, longing just to touch the hem of His robe. And He is not far off. He turns toward me the way He turned toward her, kneels down, cups my chin in His hand.
“Daughter,” He says.
Can you hear Him?
And His words to us are the same as they were to those two. “Your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
He has made us well! Hallelujah! He has made us well and He has given us peace.
We are healed from our depravity, our iniquity, our wickedness. We are given peace from our struggling, our striving, our hurt. He loves us like that.
The sick woman chases after Jesus, after twelve years of no answers. It doesn’t matter what the world says, if they say she is dirty and hopeless. She chases after Him because she believes that He has what she needs, that He can heal her. And He does. She squeezes through the crowd, reaches for His hem, because she knows He is the Savior. And He is.
The woman at the well, she runs into the town to tell anyone, everyone what He has done for her. This man knows everything she has ever done and yet still He loves her and desires to set her free. They believe because of her testimony, they race to see for themselves, to hear and see and touch, and they too are saved.
We have received this same grace. So might we spend our whole lives like these women—broken, thirsty and in need of Him. Reaching out for Him, no matter the circumstance. Fearlessly hoping in Him regardless of what the world might say about our situation or the extent of our brokenness. Bearing our hearts to Him, no matter the shame of our sin. Running toward Him, no mater the distance. Boldly proclaiming to all the world, “Come and listen! Come and see what He has done for us. He has made us well! He has given us peace!” He loves us like that.
I pray you find comfort as you see God use your story to bring others to Him, and more importantly, see your story bring Him glory.
REFLECT
- Read John 4:1-26 and reflect on the way Jesus responded to the woman at the well. He offered her relief from her thirst—thirst for love, acceptance and forgiveness. Can you remember a time when you were physically thirsty? How about spiritually thirsty? Will you accept the relief Jesus offers to His children—no matter the circumstances you find yourself in the midst of right now?
- Read Mark 5:25-29. The woman who pursued Jesus in the crowd had experienced loss, rejection and isolation. Jesus has such a heart of tenderness for those who live with these feelings. Have you ever found yourself feeling isolated and rejected? Have you gone to Jesus with these burdens? He alone can truly heal you.
RESPOND
- Are you willing to be vulnerable and transparent with your needs? Jesus patiently waits for you to approach Him. Carve some quiet time out of your day to spend with Him and lay your needs before Him.
- Ask Jesus to relieve your spiritual thirst. Take a moment to identify the things contributing to your thirst—busyness, unforgiveness, bitterness, loss, rejection or whatever else is making you thirsty. Write these things down and allow Jesus to gently deal with these heart matters.
- Do you know of a friend or family member, or maybe just an acquaintance, who needs to know of the goodness and patience of Jesus? Pencil a date on your calendar to spend with the person who came to mind. Plan to listen first, share your story, and then pray with them and for them. Jesus promises to meet you as you bring glory to Him.
