Fields United Methodist Church

Day 12.   Take Time to Be Holy

April 2, 2020

Read:  Matthew 9:18-38

Imagine yourself in a crowd, all social distancing requirements abated, around many people but feeling quite alone. Imagine yourself just alone and in need. Imagine yourself hoping upon hope that just by reaching out somehow, some way your body will be healed and spirit renewed. Hope in Jesus is a lot like that; reaching out in faith knowing that by doing so a void will be filled and the will to continue on will be strengthened. The response of Jesus remains unknown except for the affirmation that the love of God offered to you will never let you go, and in fact, will work in and through you to face the world and the challenges therein unafraid. Fear is mentioned over 400 times in the Bible, and with good reason; we are often fearful of the unknown, fearful of reaching out without first knowing the results. The woman in the Bible who reached out and touched Jesus’ cloak took a chance, as her faith knew she would be made “well,” she didn’t know what that could mean in her life. In other words, she took a chance on Jesus; she reached out not fully knowing what the result would be except that it would be good. When she reached out to Jesus, Jesus’ response was immediate; “your faith has made you well.” When we reach out in faith, Jesus responds. Maybe we do not know what the result will be, and maybe how Jesus responds is not even what we were thinking his response should have been, yet the response will always be grace upon grace upon grace offered.  As we practice (and we should for the love of our neighbor) social distancing, let us do the opposite with Jesus; let us reach out and touch the One who will make us well, the One who will make us whole, even during times when our lives feel in pieces. “Draw nearer to God, and God will draw nearer to you.” (James 4:8)  

Have you ever reached out to someone not knowing what would happen? What did happen?

How did the woman who reached out to Jesus know that the result would be good?

How are you taking time to be holy today?

Prayer:  Gracious and merciful God, we thank you for being with us no matter where our life seems to be taking us; offer us such faith to reach out to you in our time of need, and be a witness to those who need you especially today.  Amen