by Kelly T. Dixon
Reading: Mark 5:21-43
Christians talk a lot about our hope in Christ and we spend a lifetime trying to determine what that really means. This journey of discovery is part of our walk with Jesus and somewhere along our travels we discover that how we react in the moment of crisis reveals much about how we place our hope into action. Sometimes our life seems like a long, dark tunnel. Perhaps we are unable to discover a solution for a problem, or we cannot find relief from pain. Regardless of the direction we turn, we find no hope for anything better than our present circumstances. But wait; as Christians shouldn’t we always have hope. Shouldn’t we constantly be relying on our Savior and not worrying about the problems in our lives? Certainly, but as the old saying goes; “Easier said than done.” That is why I am so grateful for a Father Who has given me His grace when I fall short of acting on my hope in Him. Hope has a depth of infinity. The lessons from this one little word are many. However, in this application, our focus will be on the action we must place within our hope in Christ. In Mark chapter 5 versus 21-45, we have the story of Jairus, who sought Jesus for the healing of his daughter, and the woman who had been constantly bleeding for twelve years. Intertwined throughout are many examples of how hope is being placed into action. The action brought about by Jairus’ hope is first seen by him seeking Christ. Jairus was the local synagogue leader. Many synagogue leaders had close ties to the Pharisees, who did not support Jesus. It is very likely that Jairus, like other synagogue leaders, was pressured by the Pharisees not to support Jesus either. Therefore, Jairus seeking Christ for healing was a risk. However, his hope was placed on Jesus and the feeling of hope was certainly hastened when Christ began to follow him to his daughter. However, the feelings soon hit a brick wall when Jesus stopped to ask, “Who touched My robe?” I’m sure Jairus thought, “What do you mean who touched Your robe? My daughter needs Your attention now! Why are You stopping to examine who touched You at this moment? Let’s go, my daughter needs healing!!” Yet, Jesus had another who was seeking Him through a heart of hope.
The woman who had been bleeding for twelve years had placed all her hope in doctors. This hope spent everything she had. She now placed her hope in Jesus and so much so that she knew she just needed to touch His robe to be healed. Just a touch! Think about it, in your ongoing trials of life do you reach out to Jesus for just one touch? That is all it took for the woman to be healed from twelve years of bleeding! When Jesus realized that she was the one who touched Him, He acknowledges her hope by acknowledging her faith. For it was the action of the hope she held in her heart that showed her faith. It was hope in a Healer that drew her heart to the faith of reaching out for the healing.
Jesus then turns to Jairus, who just received the news that his daughter had died. The words Jesus spoke to Jairus are ones we should always remember, “Don’t be afraid. Just believe.” Jesus was reminding Jairus to remember why he originally came to Him. He wanted Jairus to remember that he was seeking Jesus for healing; and if his heart began with the hope that Jesus could heal his daughter from sickness, then his heart must continue to believe. Believe that the healer who can heal sickness can do anything. Each step Jairus took back to his home had to be full of this continual hope; continual belief that Jesus was the answer. Hope that Jesus would perform a miracle.
Does your life seem like a long, dark tunnel? Are you unable to discover a solution for a problem, or find relief from pain? Have you hit a brick wall and feel that you have lost Jesus’ attention? When we go to our Savior with a heart of hope, we must remember how to act upon that hope. We must continue to go to Him and reach out to touch Him in any way we can. We must seek His guidance through His Word and His comfort through prayer. When we see others being healed, yet we are still waiting on the healing in our own lives, we must remember the initial hope we had in our Savior and continue to believe. Continue to walk with Jesus! For our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, how easy it is to talk about hope, but not act. Help me to realize when I am not placing my belief in You with my actions of hope. When I am in the darkness of this world, help me to remember the hope I have in You. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
Deepening The Walk Mini Bible Study: This faith series is being accompanied with mini Bible studies for further in depth study. When Ladies for Jesus offers these type studies, we call them “Deepening The Walk.” It is our prayer that you use this extra material to assist you in deepening your walk with the Lord. Deepening The Walk Mini Bible Study page.
