Do we go to Jesus for what we can get?
“My little daughter is dying,” he said. “Please come and lay your hands on her; heal her so she can live.”
Mark 5:23
Healing came when Jesus touched. This man wanted it for his dying daughter- understandable, but inappropriate. Jesus in compassion agrees but before arriving, he sees something to develop his understanding.
A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years. … she came up behind [Jesus] … and touched his robe. She thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” Immediately the bleeding stopped.
Mark 5:25-29
A woman came to Jesus thinking he provided healing through touch, a commodity to be used.
Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?”
Mark 5:30
The woman had taken something from Jesus. He challenged her, and when she confessed, said,
“Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”
Mark 5:34
Taking had been wrong because the healing needed them both together. Her inappropriate taking would have left her with guilt, but now having humbled herself and confessed, she is sent in peace.
Do I treat Jesus as someone to be used, to get things from?