Jaw-dropping Jewels about Jesus
Rarely does Jesus, God the Son, do exactly what we expect of Him. It seems odd that He so frequently surprises us, given that He never changes. Hebrews 13:8 makes this absolute statement: “Jesus the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Still, though He is blessedly consistent in His goodness, Jesus does unforeseen things. Even when He does what is expected, He does not always do it in the way that we anticipate. Let us join with Jesus on a jaw-dropping journey. (I will be using this opening paragraph for each of the brief messages in this series. The following material will change daily.)
As Jesus went to heal the daughter of the synagogue leader in Capernaum (Mark 5:22-24), He was “thronged” by the people. In this swirling crowd was an afflicted woman: “And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, when she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched His garment. For she said, ‘If I may touch but His clothes, I shall be whole’” (verses 25-28). This lady, like Jairus and his daughter, had a definite need. However, unlike Jairus, she was a social outcast. Because of her affliction, she was considered ceremonially unclean and could not join in worship services. In fact, anyone she touched could not worship either. If she had ever been married, she probably would have been divorced by her husband (with the blessing of the religious elites). For twelve long years, she not only was ill but also was frustrated by the ineffectiveness of doctors. No doubt she was also financially impoverished by those years of unsuccessful medical treatment. Her sad situation is one to which many Christians can relate. In our difficulties, may we, like this ailing woman, seek out Jesus.