There were a lot of things this past weekend that really spoke to me, but the part I really find myself still thinking about days later is one of the songs that Nicole C. Mullen performed. This is actually a song that she did last year as well, and I was so glad she chose to share it again. It's called "One Touch", and it's based on one of my favorite storys from Jesus' ministry.
Mark 5: 25-34
Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?” But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”
There are so many reasons that this woman's account is dear to me. Have you ever read something in God's word and just felt like he put that part in there specifically for you? There is something about this woman's story that always seems to strike me that way, no matter what circumstance I'm in at the time.
I think it's interesting that the passage mentions that she had "spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse". How often we spend our everything trying to fix our own situation and get absolutely nowhere- sometimes even to point of sheer exhaustion and defeat. I love when God throws a little sentence in here and there just to show us that we are not the only ones fighting our fight.
I also love the disciples' response to Him when He asks "Who touched me?" Given the situation, that really is a funny question to ask. And, really, why would He ask that? He knew it was her, even before she touched him. I'm no scholar, but I have my own guess as to why. I think He wanted her to be a testimony to the crowd. Maybe he also wanted her to let go of her shame and boldly share what He had done for her.
And finally, my favorite part is when He calls her Daughter. I think I heard once that this is the only time in the Bible that He calls someone "daughter" directly, rather than "daughters of Jerusalem" or something similar. But again, I'm no scholar and may be wrong about that. Either way though, I love it. She came to Him with a desease that made her unclean and unacceptable in the eyes of the people around her, and He didn't stop at just healing her. He offered her acceptance and belonging in the deepest form.
I can't wait for the day that I am face to face with Him, hearing Him call me daughter. And until then, I can only pray that I find the faith to believe that one touch is all it takes to be made well.
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Remember the verse I think it's in Isaiah,"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans not to harm you but to prosper you, plans to give you hope and a future." I have been reminded of that verse recently. I don't know how but one day I was driving and it just popped in my head. I feel like the past year and a half I have been so concerned with getting what I want, to move back to colorado, that I haven't paid any attention to finding out what God wants. I don't know what he wants because I haven't asked him. And for all I know He wants the same thing I do, but is simply waiting for it to be His idea not me and my temper tantrum getting my way. I thnk about all the times Sarah who is 5 has thrown a fit because she wanted what she wanted no matter what even what if I want for her is better and I know she'll be happier. I get frustrated and I think okay you can have that and miss out. I must seem like that to God. He promises that, "He who holds onto His life will loose it and he who dies to himself will gain it for eternity", and if I know these promises than why is it so hard to surrender my life and heart to him fully? I know I'm stubborn. I know that God's plans are best for my life. I know that yet still I'm afraid that if I surrender and God does not want what I want for my life, than it will be hard. Isn't that stupid? I think so. That's what I've been working on lately. I love you mol!!! Like crazy, and I think that you need to get your butt out here!!! Stand on street corners all homeless looking with a sign that that sais, "MUST VISIT ANNABEL!" We'll see how that works!
Remember the verse in Isaiah, I think it's in Isaiah. It says,"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plan to prosper you, not to harm you. Plans to bring you hope and a future."
I was reminded of that verse while I was driving the other day. It just popped into my head out of nowhere. And all of a sudden I think I just got it. Well, sort of anyways. I feel like the past year and a half I have been so focused with what I want and making sure I get what I want that I haven't bothered to ask God what He wants. And the thing is, for all I know is God wants the same thing that I do but wants me to trust Him first. And wants me to trust Him no matter what He says. I think that it is really powerful and really scary to not just believe but to also live the way we are called to live. He promises in His word that "those who hold onto their lives will loose them, and those who die to themselves will gain life eternal". He tells us if we want to Live than give our lives to Him because only when He is living through us can we feel fulfilled. Yet here I am saying yes, I'll serve you, in Colorado. No where in the bible does it say that I am allowed to make stipulations like that. But man is it scary asking God what His plans are. Well that's what I've been working on. I love you friend!
wow, I left you that twice I think I go distracted the first time I sent it because of well I don't remember and then was convinced I deleted it or something. So just in case I re wrote it and sent it again. don't publish all three of my posts. You'll make me look dumb like the time you swore you home baked those christmas cookies I knew were take and bake and everyone believed you making me look like a horrible friend. I love you though!!!
Ok, I was going to pick one to publish but then I read them both and they said some different things. Both comments sounded good and I couldn't decide which one was better. Then I thought "Maybe I can cut and paste the parts of each that I like most together". But then I realized that'd be sad, and maybe bordering of plagerism...? So I'm sorry, I published both.
And also, how many times do we have to talk about the word "says" Annabel?
If you were to ask me how to spell it I would know how I swear, I've come SO far. It's just when I start typing faster than I think that I misspell it out of habbit. It's much better though.
Awesome post. That is one of the stories in the Bible that I love the most and really relate to. It makes me think about how I can "touch the hem of his garment" right now...I think it's right there for us. I've also had a literal experience where I had a problem with my kidneys and had my own "issue of blood" - and He performed a little miracle for me.
Thanks for the great post Mo.
What a beautiful post, Molly. You brought up a couple excellent points I hadn't considered before. Why do we exhaust all of our resources, time, energy, money... when all it takes is one touch. All it takes is bringing it to Him.
And why do we have to learn this lesson over and over again? Thank you for grace, Lord!
And HELLO!!! Nicole C. Mullen is the woMAN. Love her.
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