He Called Me Daughter
Jesus’ ministry was in its first months. The crowds were growing as he healed, cast out demons and spoke truth.
In Mark chapters 5 and 6, there are events that appear to take a snap shot of 24 hours in the life of Jesus. He has taught, healed, calmed a storm and cast a “legion” of demons out of one man. Then he returns to the other side of the Sea of Galilee where a crowd is waiting. As he steps out of the boat a ruler named Jairus begs Jesus to come to his house to heal his daughter who is dying.
On his way there, a woman who had a discharge of blood for 12 years, was in the crowd as Jesus walked to Jairus’ home. Under the Old Testament law of God, she was unclean. That meant she could not be touched. She could not be in crowds. Anyone who touched her became unclean. She could not have a hug, hold hands, go to church, or meet with friends socially. She could not be intimate. She had spent her money on doctors and nothing was helping. She was alone, destitute, desperate, and isolated. Can you imagine anything worse than suffering in isolation?
She took a big risk that day being out in a crowd. She may have been on her knees, bowed down in a worship stance, at the side of the road. She reached out to touch Him, and touched the hem of his garment. Instantly she was healed.
Jesus stopped, looked around, and asked who touched him. After a pause and silence, she approached him in fear and trembling. Was he going to call her out and scold her? Did she make him unclean by touching him? Was the crowd going to punish her?
But instead, He looked at her and called her “daughter.” This is the only time recorded that Jesus calls anyone daughter. Think of the circumstances here. This woman is alone and has had to take care of herself for years. No father to look out for her. No Jairus to go get Jesus to heal her. Isolated and desperate–with one hope. Maybe, just maybe, Jesus could heal her.
This is a tender moment for her. Her isolation has ended. Her touch did not make Jesus unclean. But, instead, His touch made her clean. She could hug and be hugged. She could go out in public. She could go to church, and meet friends for social gatherings. She was free!
Ladies, if you ever feel alone, rejected, even unloved, Jesus is Father to you too. He calls you daughter. You have a father who loves you, forgives you, heals you, and frees you.
Krista, these are probably my favorite chapters – I love that it shows Christ love and care for a man, a woman, and a child, His power over physical healing, power over death, power over the enemy, and over the forces of nature. It assures me that there is nothing that I can not bring to Him for anyone or any situation that He would not respond to out of love, mercy and power. So I read it often when I hesitate in asking for the smallest thing or the impossible. Today I’m seeking the impossible, thanks for the reminder.