Jesus has always been a worker of miracles. It is a huge part of His God-nature. There are times when our bodies succumb to sickness, and we really need a miracle (or two) from Jehovah Rapha.
This is the Story of a Miracle (or Two)
Remember the woman in the synoptic gospels who had no hope? Her story is told in Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-34, and Luke 8:43-48. Let’s take a look at her story:
The Story of One Woman
A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse—after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. For she thought, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.”
Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Then Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My garments?”
His disciples said to Him, “You see the crowd pressing in on You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” And He looked around to see the woman who had done this. But the woman, fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction” (NASB).
It Would Take a Miracle
Here is a woman who had suffered hemorrhaging for twelve years. Even in our time, this would be a crisis. At the very least it would mean dangerous anemia. She would be dealing with weakness, dizziness, fatigue, heart palpitations, and shortness of breath on a daily basis. Perhaps it was something even more serious, perhaps some form of cancer. In addition to the physical crisis, Mark tells us that she had been to see many doctors and had spent all she had. She was broke! And the condition got worse instead of better. Again, in our day this would be devastating.
On top of all that, the woman had an additional burden. According to Levitical Law (Leviticus 15:25-27), because of her bleeding she was ceremonially unclean, which meant she was “removed from fellowship” with others. Anyone and anything with which she came into contact also became unclean. Her bed and her furniture, anywhere she sat, anything she touched, became unclean, and anyone who had contact with them would also become unclean. She was forbidden to go to the synagogue to worship. This woman would have been forbidden by law to hug her children, have company for tea, or go to the market. If she were to be caught violating that law, she would be cut off from her people.
Imagine the loneliness in addition to the physical and financial complications. Who could blame her for just giving up? Yet, desperation drove her to one final act, and that was all she needed.
Story 2: One With No Hope?
Ever been there, at the very end of your rope with nothing left to try, no more hope? I am reminded of the story of a man who went mountain climbing alone (not a wise decision), and as fate would have it, he slipped and ended up in midair dangling at the end of his rope. His grip was beginning to give way when, out of nowhere, he heard someone call his name. Who could be calling to him out there? The conversation continued like this:
“Who are you?” the climber frantically asked the voice.
“It’s God.”
“Wow! You’re here!”
“Of course, I am. I’m everywhere.”
“So, God, I’m in a bit of a predicament. Will You help me?”
“I’d be glad to.”
“Oh, thank God!”
“You’re welcome.”
“I mean, I need Your help!”
“Certainly. Do you trust me?”
“Yes, I’ll do anything You say!”
“Let go of the rope.”
“What?!”
“You said you trust me. Let go of the rope.”
“Uh . . . God?”
“Yes.”
“Is there anyone else up there I can talk to?”
Since that was the punch line, you have to use your imagination about what happened next. The point is, like the woman with the issue of blood and the mountain climber, we sometimes find ourselves in a circumstance where only a miracle is going to change things and we are driven to desperate measures–taking a risk and relying on faith.
The Miracle Worker
Back to the woman with the issue of blood: She had apparently heard about Jesus and His miracles, and a miracle was all that was left for her to hope for. She had nothing more to lose, and even though it might have meant the ultimate judgment of the law, she headed toward Jesus, pushing her way through the crowd, touching people. Desperately, she lunged out and made contact with the hem of His cloak, and immediately she was healed. A little bit of the fear remained. She was afraid to admit that she was the one who touched Jesus, but ultimately there was nothing left to fear. Jesus was (and still is!) in the miracle business.
Story 3: Sometimes Miracles Look Different
When my beloved grandfather reached the end of his health and strength, I didn’t want to let him go. That was a desperate time for me. I was afraid to ask for a miracle because I was afraid of what the answer would be. Finally, I just sat before the Lord and cried. What did I really want? To selfishly keep him in his state of pain? No. The words came to me, “Father, please release my grandfather to health or to heaven,” and I realized that whichever way that went would be a miracle. Either way, he would be whole again. God took him to heaven where I truly believe he is healthy, happy, and still living the existence that God created him to live—eternity in glory! Someday I’ll be there with him. Miraculously, Jesus has opened that door for me, too, and for all who believe.
Seeking Your Miracle (or two)
Whatever you need today, remember that Jesus is no amateur; He has been in the miracle business for a long time and He is willing to intercede on your behalf. Perhaps you’re wondering where to start. Take your cues from the woman in our story. In his message “Three Powerful Lessons from the Story of the Bleeding Woman in the Bible,” Pastor Frank Santora breaks down the process like this:
- You must want your miracle enough to take a risk and be willing to pay the price
- You must make the decision to go to Jesus
- You must speak up
If you are sick or suffering in your body, or if you have a loved one who is, trust Jehovah Rapha–your healer. Don’t be afraid to “cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Take the risk, find your way to Him, and tell Him what you need. He is still in the miracle business!
God bless you, and may you encounter the Miracle Worker today. Amen.
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