Matthew 9:18-26 - Reaching out in Faith

At that time, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, "My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live." And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. And behold, a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment; for she said to herself, "If I only touch his garment, I shall be made well." Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well." And instantly the woman was made well. And when Jesus came to the ruler's house, and saw the flute players, and the crowd making a tumult, he said, "Depart; for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. And the report of this went through all that district.

A baby knows who to go you...so should we!
photo by Flickr user, Squiggle, used under the creative commons license
check out more photos at:http://www.flickr.com/photos/stephenr/

How marvelous is the faith shown here. A rule, knowing his daughter had died, still knew that Jesus could raise her from the dead. On His way to the ruler's house, Jesus is touched by a woman who reached out in faith. She did not ask Jesus for healing but, instead, believed that just touching Jesus' garments would be enough to heal her hemorrhage, which she had been suffering for 12 years! The ruler believed. The women believed. And their faith was rewarded.

How in my life can I show that kind of faith?  Faith that looks at my own situation, knowing I cannot do anything about it and yet knowing that Jesus can! Will I take the actions necessary for my faith to "work?" Surely, the women would not have been healed had she not reached out and touched Jesus' clothes. Surely, the ruler's daughter would not have been raised if he had accepted dead as dead. Their actions, meager as they were, changed the whole situation.

O Lord, help me to take whatever actions I need to take to show my faith.  I can do nothing, Lord, except reach out to You. Like the woman with the issue of blood and like the ruler whose daughter had died, I can do nothing except go to You, Who is able to heal! Heal me, O Lord, and help me to live in faith. Amen.