Joyful Ruins

Mark 5 The Woman healed by Jesus from 12 years of bleeding

v. 33 The woman, with fear and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before him and told him the whole truth.

• This woman had learned to fear. No doubt, she had been bombarded with punishment and shame by others. The story told to her, by religious people, especially, would be one of “you are unclean, unwanted, a sinner, better off dead”. She would not have mattered in this particular society. So, naturally, she feared Jesus response to her, thinking He would treat her the same way. Instead He says,

v. 34 “Daughter,” He said to her, “your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be healed of your affliction.”

• BEAUTIFUL! Jesus calls her daughter. He immediately embraces her, showing her that she is precious, accepted, and loved. He encourages her for her faith. She is not shameful or “bad”, she is faithful and that is what Jesus sees and cares about.
• Now, there are different translations for the next thing He says, but this translation (CSB) has me wondering. She has already been healed of her affliction and yet Jesus says, “be healed from your affliction.” I love that. He is saying, there is further healing I will give you. Now that you are physically healed, let us heal the trauma from years of suffering. Let, You and I, together, heal your fear and shame. Jesus is always healing us. It is never ending work, until we reach heaven.

Thank You Jesus for never giving up on our wholeness.