“Earlier this morning,” Stan commented, “I was looking again at the story in Mark’s gospel about the woman who was healed merely by touching Jesus’ garments as He passed by.”
“That’s an amazing story of being healed by faith,” I replied. “And I have often wondered about that.”
“What have you wondered?” Stan asked.
“At least a couple of things,” I replied. “First, I wonder if there were other people in the crowd around Jesus who wanted to be healed.”
“Probably so,” Stan said, “It seems that there were always a lot of people who crowded around Him seeking to be healed.”
“And, second,” I added, “I’ve wondered if people reading this story, people who believe they will be healed if they just have enough faith, I wonder what they think when they’re not healed.”
“The whole subject of faith healing is a big one,” Stan replied, “and we’re not going to go there today. What I want to focus on is how the woman was honest with Jesus and how I think what she did applies to me and my faith walk.”
“Being honest with Jesus?” I said. “In what way?”
“Quick recap,” Stan replied. “The woman had a medical condition she had lived with for twelve years. It was one that the doctors couldn’t heal. After she heard about Jesus, she thought that if she just touched His garments she would get well. It says she touched Jesus’ cloak and was instantly healed.”
“Yeah,” I said. “I remember the healing and how Mark wrote that Jesus had sensed some power going out of Him and wanted to know who had touched Him. Do you think Jesus really didn’t know who had touched Him?”
“I think He knew,” Stan replied, “but I also think He asked that question to make the point of being honest with Him.”
“How so?” I asked.
“After the woman was healed,” Stan replied, “it says that Jesus looked around to see the woman who had touched His cloak. It seems to me that He knew who He was looking at.”
“Okay, then what?”
“It says that the woman, when she saw Jesus looking at her, stepped forward, fell down before Jesus, and told Him the whole truth of what had happened.”
“Again,” I said, “don’t you think Jesus already knew what had happened?”
“I do,” Stan replied, “but I also think Jesus wanted the woman to express to Him what she had done. It wasn’t a confession of sin because she had not done anything wrong, I think Jesus just wanted her to talk to Him and tell Him what was on her heart. And that’s what He wants for me, for you, and for all of us.”
“To be honest with Him as to what’s on our hearts?” I asked.
“That’s what it looks like to me,” Stan replied. “I think He already knows what’s on my heart; He wants me to come before Him honestly expressing my heart feelings and seeking to know Him and what’s on His heart.”
__________________________________
Bible verses to consider:
But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him, and told Him the whole truth. Mark 5:33.
Therefore do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need, before you ask Him. Matthew 6:8.
And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou has sent. John 17:3.
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for your free and gracious provision of life eternally with you when it is time. Thank you for those you brought into my life to tell me the truth so I could accept it and go on to experience the eternal life of knowing you and Jesus in an ever-deepening relationship before then. Thank you, too, that you want me to come before you in total honestly, expressing what is on my heart so I will know what is on yours. I confess that too often I am not totally honest with you. Please forgive the foolishness of not being honest with you, knowing that you already know all of the truth. Please help me in following every step of your lead in being open to you about everything so I can know you as deeply as possible. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Think on this: Have you been honest with God in the sense that you have admitted that you know there is nothing that you can do for your own salvation and redemption other than accept His free and gracious gift? If no, why? If you are a Christian, how are you doing in being totally honest with God about everything in your life? Do you think you can hide anything from God? Do you believe that God knows what’s on your heart and that He wants you to know what’s on His? If you sense the need for change in your life and in your relationship with God, how is that going to happen? Is that what you want? Why or why not?
Waiting for the Train 