Jesus Wants it All

Mark 5:21-43

Such an interesting passage for today's devotion.  So many people are following Jesus and he chooses to heal two of them:  the synagogue leader's young daughter, and the woman who had been bleeding for a dozen years, despite the care of many doctors. 

What on earth do these two people have in common:  the daughter of a powerful religious leader and a woman with a debilitating, long-term illness that no one could cure?  It doesn't seem like there is much in common at all.  And yet - let's take a look.

Both Jairus and the bleeding woman (what a way to identify someone - but we are not given her name) - have great faith that Jesus will heal them.  Jairus says "Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live." 

The bleeding woman pushes her way through the crowd of people surrounding Jesus and touches his cloak.  She thinks to herself:  "if I just touch his clothes, I will be healed."

Jairus is desperate.  His precious daughter is dying.  The bleeding woman is desperate.  She has spent, most likely, a fortune on doctors, and nothing has worked.

When was the last time you fell at Jesus' feet and said, "Lord, I can't do this on my own.  Help me."

Why do we have the tendency to try everything but Jesus first?  I know that at times I think my 'problem' is too small to bother Jesus with.  I will take care of the small things, and I will pass the big things onto him.

No, no, no.  That's not how salvation works.  Help me, Lord, everyday, to give my life anew to you.  Help me to remember that you want it all - and that when I offer it all, you bless me far beyond my wildest imaginings.  What a glorious God we serve!  Amen.  The