Two Stories

Two Stories

Tuesday, 16 December, 2025

9:01 AM

 

There are two stories that have been on my mind and my heart recently.  One is in John 4: 46-53 about the Nobelman's dying son and Jesus.  The other is the Woman who had been bleeding for 12 years spoken of in Luke 8:43-48 and in Matthew 9:20-22.

 

The Nobleman was considered some kind of royalty while the bleeding woman was a total outcast of society.  The Nobleman had everything and every kind of luxury affordable to those of that high status.  The Woman had nothing and was not allow to even touch or be touched since she was deemed unclean by the blood that flowed from her.  Not one single Jew could come anywhere near her as that would make them unclean also.  The Nobleman had slaves and servants while the Woman had no one and was alone.  The Nobleman had all the money he needed and more.  The Woman had nothing left of her money and lived in poverty.  She had spent it all trying to find a cure for her ailment.

 

When Jesus shows up on the scene for each of these encounters He is not thinking about the royal status of the Nobleman and He is not thinking about the unclean status of the bleeding Woman.  He is looking into their hearts for faith and He finds it in both of them. 

 

The Nobleman is seeking a healing for his dying son whom he loves with all his heart.  He knows there is a death sentence on his son but he hears about a man who is healing others and he goes to find this man.  At this time he could care less about his royal status, his wealth or what the Jewish society says about some false Messiah and healer who is a madman and a liar.  All he knows is that his only hope lies in this man who has healed others.  He believes in his heart that this man can heal his son.  When he finds Jesus and speaks with him he knows that the healing pronounced by Jesus is the truth and he instantly believes and has faith.  And so it is that the son who is not even touched by the hands of the Healer is healed while lying in a bed far away.  The Nobleman knows this and when he finds out the details He and all of his household are saved and believe in  Jesus the Messiah, the Savior.  This royal household could be hundreds of people.  They all now believe, have faith and are saved.

 

The Woman had lived with her bleeding for twelve years we are told.  That is a very long time to be an outcast from society.  She was not allowed near any of the people so she had to do her grocery shopping when no one was around.  The merchants did not want to have any contact with her.  She was not allowed near any of the water sites so that also had to be done in quiet when no one else was at the well or the riverside.  She was not allowed into the synagogue's to pray or listen to the scripture.  She once had money and was not an outcast but then the bleeding began and she used all of her money to find a cure.  There was no cure for twelve years.  But she heard about a healer.  He was in town and was headed through the street to heal a little girl who was dying.  The street was crowded and she crept down among the people hiding and just trying to get close enough to touch him and hope for a healing.  It was the only chance she had left.  She believed in what she had heard about him.  He had healed others just by a touch.  She reached out and touched the hem of his robe and was instantly healed.  She felt it and knew it but Jesus also knew it and He said out loud while standing in the crowd, "Who touched me?"  He had felt the power leave him and enter into the woman who was now healed.  She knew and He knew.  She had reached out in faith and He had provided the healing.  Nothing was ever the same for this woman who was no longer an outcast and was one of those whom Jesus had healed and changed their lives forever.

 

Both of these stories talk about a person changed by their faith in Jesus Christ.  Neither one of them expected something like this to happen in their lives.  None of us today expect a miraculous change in our lives. Many of us have followed Jesus for decades and have not had anything overtly miraculous happen to us.  We know we are blessed and that the Lord is with us.  We know that His love for us is eternal and wonderful.  We have faith that we will see him one day when we are no longer on this earth.  We believe in what the scriptures say about him and we seek more wisdom and knowledge of him.  But the days and the pages of the calendar keep passing by.  Sometimes a miracle comes in a grand fashion with bells and whistles and standing ovations.  Sometimes a miracle comes in a crowd of people who are seeking something special and life changing.  Sometimes a miracle come in the quiet times of life when nothing is seen or heard and only by faith do we know that something supernatural did happen. 

 

Jesus  does not see us as a Nobleman or royalty.  He does not see us as unclean and unworthy to be loved and healed.  He sees us as the children he created before time began on earth.  He sees us as the chosen ones whom he placed on earth to love and learn.  He sees us as his people whom he will continue to bless and keep in his care until the time comes we are standing next to him at his throne.  Then we will all be royalty and all be perfectly clean.