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It’s the HONEST, DESPERATE CRY that gets the attention and affection of God.
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Read Psalm 130:1-2
Twelve years of bleeding. The physical torment was one thing, but the social isolation was another thing entirely. It must’ve felt like being banished in the midst of a multitude of people. It’s hard to imagine how alone she must have felt. We know the feeling of being surrounded by people and feeling deserted – that was a reality this woman lived with for 12 years. This woman had a condition that labeled her ‘unclean.’ That meant that she was not able to participate in religious ceremonies or festivals, nor was anyone – who wanted to remain ‘clean’ – allowed to touch her. When she walked through a crowd, in order to prevent people from accidentally contacting her, she was forced to shout, “Unclean,” so people could clear a path for her. She was lonely, isolated, desperate.
On that day, the day Jesus came to her town, it’s clear she broke all the social customs. She wasn’t polite. She wasn’t respectful. She wasn’t playing by the religious games and rituals of the day – she throws all of that out the window for the hope of receiving from Jesus. This woman was at the end of her rope and going for broke. Either, she would obtain a touch from Jesus and receive his healing, or she would be banished from her community even further. She would be restored, or she would get stoned.
There are times when we long to encounter Jesus, but play it safe. We need a touch from him, but we’re unwilling to walk through the crowd and put our reputation on the line. We need Jesus’ healing, but we’re not able to cast o the social norms and truthfully, desperately, wholeheartedly cry out. It’s the honest, desperate cry that gets the attention and a ection of God. It’s this woman’s brutish act and her dire need that stir the compassion of her savior. This unfiltered cry to God in light of our need is a theme throughout the Scriptures. The Psalmist in Psalm 130:1-2 echoes the cry of this woman and the plea of our hearts by writing, “Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD! O Lord, hear my voice! Let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleas for mercy!” That is a person who knows their need and cries out to God. That is a person who is willing to put it all on the line to receive his healing touch. That is a person who meets God!
Reflection and Response
When was the last time you ran to Jesus with an honest, desperate cry? Perhaps you’re not feeling desperate today, but you can still be honest. Take a minute to reflect honestly on your feelings toward God.
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By Ryan Paulson
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