"a girl restored to life and a woman healed"

 

   

just the subtitle of the story within the Story could be a subtitle to the story i deeply believe God is writing in me.

"a girl restored to life and a woman healed"

that's what marks the story found in the Gospel.

i just had to sit back in my chair and let the wow-ness of this wash me head to toe.

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flashback: monday, june 30.2014.

on the back porch of our once-upon-a-season-rental home tucked at the dead end of our san francisco neighborhood with the sun shining hot and glorious, i sat with Bible perched open. those were desperate days in the midst of the denial of k.

i read this passage.

Mark 5.23 recorded the girl's story. "'my little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.'"

Mark 5.34 recorded the woman's story. "and He said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.'"

both were called daughter.

called daughter by Jesus.

both daughters affected by the delay that day.

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i typically don't include an entire text here when i write. i know your time is limited and precious and when you visit me here, i try to be respectful of what you give me. but you've got to see this in context. i can't wait to tell you something grand in a minute!

21 And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. 22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 23 and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” 24 And he went with him.

And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. 25 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” 29 And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

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don't you see that the delay magnified the miracle He would do for the girl?

the 12 year old girl ended up dying because Jesus, while on His way to her, was stopped by a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years.

don't you see that the delay spurred on the faith of the woman?

because Jesus was on the move, the woman got to reach out and touch Him. in faith she believed if she could only touch Him that she would be healed. His power left Him and healed her. He could have kept walking, knowing He was needed elsewhere.

but it's just like Christ to not only be working on one story, but more.

it's just like Christ to use the delay to grow our faith,

to gain more glory,

to give more than what was even asked.

but not all of His power was used on the woman He healed. oh no. because now He was going to restore a girl's life with that very power.

because Jesus isn't restricted by death.

because His power isn't limited.

He isn't blocked by delays.

He doesn't go our speed.

He doesn't do it our way.

for when He rescued the 12 year old girl from death, He had just ravaged the 12 year old problem for the woman.

it wasn't one or the other.

it was both and.

it was one on the way to the other.

my verse from my memory box: "remember my affliction and my wanderings,
the wormwood and the gall!
 my soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. 
but this I call to mind, 
and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; 
His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; 
great is Your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul,
 'therefore I will hope in Him.'" 
{Lamentations 3.19-24}