David Bahn – Reflections

Matthew 9:18-25

While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” ¹⁹And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. ²⁰And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, ²¹for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” ²²Jesus turned, and seeing her he said,  “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. ²³And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, ²⁴he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. ²⁵But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. ²⁶And the report of this went through all that district.

Diane and I were in China for a mission trip in 2004. Following that trip we took a couple of extra days and went to Beijing, Xian, and Okinawa (where our son was stationed in the U.S. Army at the time). While in Beijing I became ill. There were all sorts of alerts and concerns about Bird Flu at that time. The authorities at the airports would check your temperature remotely as you walked toward the boarding area for your flight! I remembered the wise advise, “Two places you don’t want to be while in a foreign country: jail or the hospital.” I was literally afraid as well as miserable.

But I can only begin to imagine the fear and lingering distress that must have colored the world of the woman who had an issue of blood for 12 years! Twelve years is a long time. The issue of blood made her ceremonially unclean according to Jewish Old Testament laws. But when she touched the fringe (!) of Jesus’ garment, she was healed! That was surely a great moment!

I remember going to the Swiss Hotel in Beijing, and seeing when the elevator doors opened on the 7th floor, “Hong Kong International Clinic” in English, no less! There was such a sense of relief that perhaps that alone began the healing process. The doctor prescribed some medications, assured me that I was not critically ill, and I was on my way – thankful and relieved tourist!

My brief experience in Beijing or the woman’s much more profound relief by means of Jesus’ healing power are but a foretaste of the healing and wholeness that we will experience at the end of time. Next time you experience good news, blessing, or relief of any kind, thank God! And as you say to yourself, “How good is that!”, remember that there is an even greater good to which we look by faith in Jesus.