There is an old joke of a man who complains to his friend, “My brother thinks he’s a chicken.”
“Why don’t you take him to psychiatrist?” his friend asks.
“I would,” says the man. “But we need the eggs.”
Under the topic of chrestotes we had the story of Jesus going to raise the daughter of Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue. That story frames the one in today’s passage.
What was wrong with the woman? What did she do? What happened?
According to verse 46, how did Jesus know someone had touched him? What does Jesus tell the woman?
Suffering with bleeding for twelve years is no joke, but one of the first thoughts that I have is about the length of time this woman has had to deal with her condition. The same story presented in Mark details that her search for a cure made her worse (Mark 5:26). Such information is not given here, and it is difficult to imagine going so long in so much discomfort and worry without doing something about it.
It was not until this woman finally found the correct cure – the healing power of Jesus – that she was healed. And it took more than just the presence of Jesus, but her faith, a faith that compelled her to risk and dare and press forward, to heal her. It was her pistis that aided in her healing.
Talking with other pastors a frequent lament is about how churches struggle with low attendance, difficult budgets, lethargy in the congregation, and many other situations that block real ministry from happening. Is anyone happy with a struggling church? Is anyone pleased to see a congregation that frets over budgets and low attendance?
I don’t think most people are happy with these things. Why don’t they find a cure? Because they need the eggs. In other words, it is safer to put up with the problem than it is to dare to change.
The woman suffering from bleeding finally drew up the courage to touch the hem of the garment Jesus was wearing. Her faithfulness – her pistis – made her well.
As churches and as individuals we can sit still, unable to move forward in any real and meaningful ministry, unable to take on challenges that God’s kingdom presents because we would rather live with the problems we know than risk new challenges and new opportunities.
We need pistis – faithfulness. We need the type of faith that equips us with courage and constancy and persistence that we may move forward and enter into a new life of vibrant and healthy ministry.
DAILY CHALLENGE: Where is your ministry? Where is your church? Do you need to press through the crowd to start a new ministry?
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