Reflections on Justiceنموونە

‘The frightened woman, trembling at the realisation of what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of him [Jesus] and told him what she had done. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”’

As a female and ‘unclean,’ this woman still dared to come to Jesus with the hope of finding healing. And she did. She found both physical and spiritual healing.

Despite her recovery, however, she felt ashamed of being discovered by the community, as her status excluded her from public life. This passage reminds us that no one can be too far from God to be healed. Let us acknowledge our sin to him and not cover up our iniquity; confess our transgressions to the Lord because he forgives the guilt of our sin (Psalm 32:5).

May we also remember that no matter who considers us hopeless and unworthy, Jesus sees us as worthy of being his daughter, who finds freedom and wholeness in him. Despite how the world works and how people are often excluded because of their differences, I can personally testify that the Lord still chose me to serve him and be his beloved daughter.

Challenge: Just as Jesus noticed the suffering woman, pay attention to those around you who feel unworthy. Share in a special, personal way that Jesus changed your status from marginalised and ‘unclean’ to a worthy child of God.

Prayer: Lord, help us to see any marginalised people close to us and give us boldness to reach out to them to share our personal experience of freedom and healing in you.