2024_09_18 Insight Post- Rusty Coram
This week’s reading- Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-34, Luke 8:43-48
One of the things about this story is the contrast between this sick woman and Jairus, the leader of the local synagogue. We don’t know her name, but we know she suffered from a chronic bleeding disorder for over a decade. She was not famous, influential, or affluent – in fact, she was bankrupt from a fruitless medical pursuit of a cure (Mark 5:25-26). Jairus was a well-known figure in the community, and his request for help was a big deal. If Jesus healed his daughter, it would have added instant credibility and support to the movement because of how many people might have witnessed it. But Jesus has a very different value system. He sees people, all people, as equally valuable since everyone is made in God’s image. Jesus took the time to give the woman His undivided attention even though to others it would seem much less important than quickly attending to Jairus’ request.
I am inspired and challenged by Jesus here. As a follower, I am called to imitate Him not merely in my actions but in my attitudes as well. I am grateful that He sees me as valuable and important even though I am not famous, wealthy, or an “influencer.” I am deeply grateful that He cares. But am I working to see others with the same approach? Do I filter people through a value scale where power, influence, and wealth score higher? Do I adjust my time and attention to those who can benefit me somehow? Am I willing to pass up self-promotion opportunities to benefit those around me with nothing to offer?
A passage that illustrates what Jesus shows us in our reading this week is one we focused on this past weekend in our worship service:
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. 5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.” Philippians 2:3–6 (NLT)
Rusty Coram
Senior Pastor