Read
A Dying Girl and
(Mark 5.21-43; Luke 8.40-56)
18While Jesus was still speaking, an official came and knelt in front of him. The man said, “My daughter has just now died! Please come and place your hand on her. Then she will live again.”
19Jesus and his disciples got up and went with the man.
20A woman who had been bleeding for twelve years came up behind Jesus and barely touched his clothes. 21She had said to herself, “If I can just touch his clothes, I will be healed.”
22Jesus turned. He saw the woman and said, “Don't worry! You are now healed because of your faith.” At that moment she was healed.
23When Jesus went into the home of the official and saw the musicians and the crowd of mourners, 24he said, “Get out of here! The little girl isn't dead. She is just asleep.” Everyone started laughing at Jesus. 25But after the crowd had been sent out of the house, Jesus went to the girl's bedside. He took her by the hand and helped her up.
26News about this spread all over that part of the country.
Reflect
We often feel the lack of time – to prepare for exams, finish projects, pay off our debts, or take advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The man in the story faced the reality of running out of time. He had just learned that his little daughter had died and hoped that if Jesus hurried back with him, they might arrive in time for Jesus to revive her.
How relieved he must have been when Jesus immediately arose to accompany him. Can you see him rushing ahead a little to encourage Jesus to pick up the pace? He pauses and turns, longing to see the Master tuck his tunic into his belt and begin to jog. But no! Jesus is chatting with a woman.
For twelve years she had been bleeding. She had come to Jesus in desperation, thinking that if she could just touch his clothes she might be able to coax some healing power into her weak, anaemic body. At her touch, Jesus turns to commend her faith. And suddenly, a sensation grips her. She stands a little straighter and relaxes a little. Her dream has become reality.
Meanwhile, the man is waiting. Should he remind Jesus of the urgency of this mission—that a dear little body grows colder with each passing moment while once supple limbs that danced so gracefully are stiffening? Please, Jesus, hurry!
Yet he need not have worried. When God works, time is irrelevant. He isn’t bound by time. I might be in a hurry; God never is. I might be desperate; God is not. Where I see a catastrophe, God sees an opportunity. Our short view of time makes us anxious to get the best outcome as soon as we can. God’s long view of time allows him to produce the best outcome for eternity.
Respond
Heavenly Father, forgive me for trying to manipulate you with my sense of urgency. Thank you that you are outside of time and not constrained by it. Grant me your peace today as I wait for you to work out the challenges of my life in the way that glorifies you most. In Jesus’ name, may it be so.
Ron Hughes
For 25 years, Ron Hughes served as president of FBH International, a media ministry with projects around the world. Before that he and his family were missionaries in Ecuador for 10 years, where he pioneered several media projects. He maintains a busy itinerant speaking schedule and writing ministry with an output of hundreds of radio scripts which have been translated and broadcast in a dozen languages as well as short stories, articles and three non-fiction books.