I am a CHILD of GOD

image credit: www.anointingoil.org

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, 

he gave the right to become children of God. 

~ John 1:12~

See what kind of love the Father has given us that 

we should be called children of God; and so we are. 

~1 John 3:1~

I am a child of God.
This one.
This fact.
This was a big deal to me.  

When I first became a Christian during my senior year in high school, I was desperate to be a part of a family.

Mine was right in the middle of a really rough time, and I needed to feel loved – right in the middle of my hot mess.

And then Jesus.

My life was completely transformed when I found out that I was God’s precious daughter.  I felt nameless, unwanted, broken, and sick.  I was lost and hurting and so very, very sad.

And then Jesus.

Bear with me as I unpack a story about a very real woman, who also felt nameless, unwanted, broken, and sick.

And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; 

go in peace and be healed of your disease.”       

~Mark 5:34~

In his Gospel, Mark goes about retelling (I almost said detailing, but then I remembered this is not Luke…) three separate events, that when told together, give a pretty compelling argument of Jesus as Lord.

1          Lord Over the Natural World

·      calms the sea with three simple words: “Peace. Be still.” – Mark 4:35-41

2          Lord over the Supernatural World

·      commands the demons to come out of a man – Mark 5:1-20

3          Lord over Death

·      completely heals a girl who had died from her illness and raised her back to life – Mark 5:21-24; 35-43

But, as Lisa Harper wrote, “the best part of this passage is a story-within-a-story, which illustrates not only the incomparable power of Jesus, but also the tenderness of our big God (Mark 5:21-34).

This particular woman, who sidetracks Jesus for a moment, had been plagued by “a discharge of blood for twelve years” (Mark 5:25).  She had spent every denarius she had on doctors, but we are told that she “was no better but rather grew worse” (Mark 5:26).

Not only was this poor woman sick, but she would also have been ostracized by her community because of her blood – she was “unclean” and was not allowed to be in public.

But when she had heard of all that Jesus had done for others, her rational senses were overcome by her desperation.  She knew all she had to do was touch his clothes for a moment and she would be healed.

I’m assuming she had played out this whole scenario in her mind, and I’m guessing her biggest concern was probably not being recognized by someone.  I’m quite certain she never thought Jesus would stop immediately, demanding to know who had touched Him – after all, there was a “great crowd” who was “thronged about Him” (Mark 5:24).  Many hands and bodies had smashed up against Him as He followed Jairus – one of the prominent synagogue rulers – to his house to heal his sick daughter.

But, only one hand that brushed Jesus’ garment on that day belonged to a woman with great faith.  And He stopped immediately, and asked, “Who touched my garments?” (Mark 5:30)

Okay, friends.  Don’t miss this. 

Our great God – Lord over all things and all realms – STOPS IMMEDIATELY for one nameless, sick, unclean woman.  She had been shunned by her community, but she mattered enough to Jesus.

He stopped and looked at her face.  He spoke with tenderness and was gentle with this fragile woman.

And He named her – Daughter – gently welcoming her into the family of God – into His family.

This story reminds us that Jesus is so much more than just Lord – which is already more than enough.  He is also our redeemer.  And we are never beyond being redeemable.  “Chapter five reminds us that while Jesus is the King of all kings, He’s also a perfectly personal Savior who delights in listening to His kids…” (Lisa Harper).

Check out She Reads Truth to read more from Lisa Harper.