Why not join us and find out what that means for you. Maybe you could bring along a friend or family member who might be interested to hear discussion on the question

CHURCH

What’s the point?

See You there 10.00am

The Thursday Morning Group which meets weekly on Thursdays, continue to do so at 10.00am in the quiet room. All are welcome.

The group gathers weekly to listen to what God says through the Scriptures, encourage one another in our discipleship, pray and worship together.

Reflection on Mark 5:21-34 “A Little Bit Of Faith”

From Cam’s Reflective Bible Study Journal

In some of the events in the gospels, I try to distance myself from the disciples’ reaction. Perhaps this is because I know the end of their story, and things make a lot more sense looking back on what happened.

But in other events, such as the one in this passage, even knowing the end of the story doesn’t change the reality that I probably would have said the exact same thing to Jesus that the disciples did.

In this event, a woman is trying to be secretive and anonymous about getting Jesus to heal her. In her mind, she doesn’t need Jesus’ time, touch, or even His attention. All she needs is a moment to touch the edge of Jesus’ robe – and she gets her chance.

But Jesus is too aware of what is happening around Him, and He stops the crowd with the question, “Who touched my clothes?” (v. 30b)

This is where I can relate with the disciples. Not only is the crowd surrounding Jesus and pressing in on all sides, but Jesus is trying to make His way through the crowd on a mission to save a little girl.

When Jesus stops everything with that question, I would be right with the disciples countering Jesus’ question in the same way they did: “Look at how many people are pushing against you! And you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” (v. 31)

But Jesus knows what was happening around Him, and that not all touch is equal. Jesus knows the difference between a bump in the crowd and a healing touch that is filled with faith.

To the disciples and the crowd, there was no way of distinguishing these two types of contact. On the outside, there would be no way to tell this.

But on the inside, both the woman and Jesus knew what had taken place. While the woman’s illness was internal, so was her healing. While she wanted to stay anonymous, possibly because she was embarrassed about her condition, Jesus places her up as an example to all about how powerful her faith was.

Jesus wasn’t saying this simply for the crowd’s benefit. He wanted His followers at that point and throughout history to understand that a little bit of faith can go a long way, and when that faith has been placed in Jesus, He is able to multiply it into everything we need: from healing and health, to community and security, and even to strength when facing trials. Thiswoman needed physical healing and emotional healing, and Jesus helped her with both in a way that helps us see God’s character through Jesus.