Welcome to Designed for Life
Let's Connect
Pushing Through
Mark 5:21
Everywhere Jesus went a crowd followed or was waiting for. Jesus was returning to the West side of the lake. Jairus, a synagogue leader, came to Jesus pleading. Jairus' daughter was sick and dying. He came to get Jesus to heal her. In the middle of his pleading and approaching Jesus a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years was determined to get to Jesus. The crowd was shoulder to shoulder and everyone had a need and wanted Jesus' full attention. This woman had very little physical strength. Her resolve and faith got her there that day.
I cannot help but think that she had to stop several times for lack of strength. Maybe she even collapsed a time or two. She also probably battled thoughts and even had others say, "What are you doing?", "Are you crazy?". She had to push through those thoughts and the crowd. The mental struggle and the physical pain that she was enduring we can only imagine. She kept pushing until she finally was close enough to reach out, hand shaking and touch Jesus clothes. All the while believing when I touch His clothes I will be whole.
See, we don't want to picture her too sick. This woman had been bleeding for twelve years. I do not know what she looked like, but I am assuming she looked physically wasted, and worn out. Emotionally she was lonely, depressed and was about to give up. Spiritually something was rising up in her and calling her to push, perservere, and take a chance on Jesus. No matter what the crowd said or did. So with great anticipation, faith and hand trembling she reached out and touched His clothes. His healing power flowed through her and she was healed. Jesus knew it and so did she. At that moment her life changed forever. She was healed!
God is calling us daily to push through our stuff and touch Him. He wants us to choose every day to press in, perservere, to be determined no matter what is going on around us. Maybe your issue is not as "big" as the woman in the story, maybe it is bigger. It doesn't matter where you find yourself today. Choose to push through the physical and emotional pain. Choose to push through the crowd and touch Jesus!
The Sabbath
The Sabbath was made for man to have mental, emotional and physical rest. The Jewish tradition had multiplied the requirements and restrictions for keeping the Sabbath. The burden had become intolerable. Jesus cut across these traditions and emphasized God's purpose to benefit the people. God made the Sabbath to benefit us not for the Sabbath to "tie" us down in any way.
In Mark chapter 3 verse 1 Jesus was in the Synagogue. At the same time a man with a shriveled hand was there. The Pharisees (Jewish religious leaders) believed Jesus could heal but they were waiting to see if He would. The Pharisees were wanting to acccuse Him of breaking Sabbath law.
Jesus decided to heal the man. He came to bring grace. In verse 5 it says Jesus looked at them in anger and was deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts. See these leaders were looking at the law and the law only. They saw with their eyes the physical need of the man but were not willing to truly see his need and act. Jesus came to bring freedom from the law and give us grace.
Is there an area of your life you are like the Pharisees? Is there a tradition or law that you hold on to and inhibit God's grace? Lord, may we be people that live out our lives in your grace. As we do help us to be determined to bring others along with us.