August 1, 2024
"And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be healed of your affliction." - Mark 5:34 (NKJV)
Have you ever been required to present official identification? Perhaps at the entrance to an event, at a public or government facility. Have you ever been pulled over by a law enforcement officer and asked to present identification? The identification being required in these instances is referred to as particulars. Particulars carry basic information about a person that is unique to them, usually a photo of the person with their name, their date of birth, and other biological and/or living details.
Imagine we are enforcement officers and Faith is a person we have pulled over for a traffic stop. We ask Faith for her details, which will help us gather relevant information about her.
First, we would find that Faith is impartial. Mark 5:21- 40 provides an example of the application of faith from two extreme classes of society. Verses 22-23 and 25-26 introduce the characters, and their plights, from either end.
Verse 22-23 “And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live”
Verse 25-26 “Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse”.
At the end of the day, it does not matter our backgrounds, our skin colour, what we look like, whether we are rich or poor, young or old, renowned or unknown, head of the church or congregant, Faith in God is a leveller.
On the one side was Jairus, who was a leader in the synagogue, reputable enough to have his name recorded in the Bible. On the other was a woman, described simply as ‘a certain woman’ by the Bible.
When we follow their stories to the end, we find that faith is required for them to receive their answers. A closer look will reveal that the ‘certain woman’ had more faith than Jairus. While Jairus came and fell at Jesus’ feet with his request in verse 23, the woman pushed through the crowd thronging at Jesus in verse 27.
This is an important point for believers to note. Appointed ministers of God, such as pastors, bishops, reverends or people of position in society may not necessarily have more faith than others. Ask Naaman, the Syrian General who eventually heeded his servant's plea in 2 Kings 5:13.
At the end of the day, it does not matter our backgrounds, our skin colour, what we look like, whether we are rich or poor, young or old, renowned or unknown, head of the church or congregant, Faith in God is a leveller. It brings us all into the same class before God and God has made the demonstration of faith available to all.
Song of Worship
Stand in Faith
Song by Danny Gokey
Prayer - Dear Lord, thank You because faith in You has nothing to do with status in life. Help me therefore O Lord, to exercise my faith in You. Where I fall short, push me through the crowd to touch You in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Bible in 1 year: Psalms 60-62; Romans 5