They say God is just a myth and the Bible is just a bunch of fairy tales with no ending, happy or otherwise. They say Jesus did exist, but was human as the rest of us with no power to save us from anything. They also once believed that the world was flat. They said if we traveled far enough in one direction we would fall off. Exactly who is ‘they’ and why do we listen to them anyway?
‘They’ are unbelievers whose ears are without hearing and hearts without understanding. Jesus often taught in parables, short stories containing a lesson, which were understood only by those whose ears and hearts were tuned into Him. Anyone who wants to learn the truth about Him will listen, believe that what He says is true and trust that all the promises found in His Word will be kept. Many witnesses have experienced personal encounters with Jesus and their faith cannot be shaken. We know the power of His name and have felt His glory fill our souls.
Matthew, Mark, Luke and John were all disciples chosen by Jesus to help Him spread the word. The four of them wrote the first four books of the New Testament. Three of them tell a story about a woman whose faith was in the healing power of Jesus. (Matt. 9:20-22, Mark 5: 25-34, Luke 8:43-48)
A certain woman, who had suffered from a passing of blood for twelve years, heard that Jesus was in town. She hesitated when she saw the crowd that followed him, but knew in her heart that He was her only hope. For years she had seen doctor after doctor searching for a cure. Now, here she was, broke and bleeding worse than ever. If only I can but touch his clothes, she thought…and she pressed her way through the crowd. After several attempts and being pushed away by others just as anxious, she finally was able to reach down and touch the hem of His garment.
Immediately, she felt the flow of blood stop and knew in her heart that she had been healed. At that same instant, Jesus stopped and looked about. “Who touched me?” He asked, gazing at the crowd.
People looked at each other and Jesus’ disciple, exclaimed, “Master, the people are pressing you from every side, and you ask who touched you?”
“Somebody has touched me,” He said. “I perceive that virtue has gone out of me.”
The woman trembled as all eyes fell on her. Shaking with fear, she stepped forward and fell to her knees. She confessed and explained her issue… and how by simply touching his clothes she had been healed.
Jesus helped her to her feet. “Daughter,” He said, “be of good cheer. Your faith has made you whole. Go in peace.”
‘They’ would call this a fairy tale; a bit of fiction in order to convince the people that Jesus was the Son of God. To those of us who accept the truth, we are reminded that He is a personal God and nothing concerning us goes unnoticed or is not felt by the One who knows us best. If we who choose to believe are to be counted by some as ‘foolish’ then count me in! The Bible says: We are fools for Christ’s sake. 1 Cor. 4:10
