Compassionate Presence

December 16, 2021

Advent 2021

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The most striking part of this passage for me is that despite the urgency of Jesus’ journey to heal the dying daughter of a synagogue leader (see 5:21-24), Jesus stops and does not rush compassion. He felt someone touch Him and the NIV says He “kept looking around;” He did not stop until the woman came forward. She did and, amazingly enough, Jesus listened to her as she “told Him the whole truth.” We don’t know what she said, but we do know Jesus listened to her whole truth, however long that took.

I see Jesus practicing presence with this woman, listening to her, showing compassion. He then calls her daughter, encourages her faith, and offers a fullness of healing. She was physically healed by Jesus and He restored her to community (due to her condition, she likely would have been isolated, causing social, emotional, and mental pain, as well as the physical pain of the bleeding). Jesus also extends to her peace and freedom. Jesus’ healing is a healing of wholeness, not solely physical! And Praise God for that.

I can’t read this passage and not long for that peace and freedom Jesus offers, that wholeness of healing. I love that part of this woman’s healing journey was to share “her whole truth.” Her vulnerability and expression was met with compassion and healing. In a world filled with problem solvers and fixers, we too often skip the step of sharing our whole truths, maybe because we rarely can find someone who will listen compassionately. This woman sets a beautiful example for us: like her, we can reach out to Jesus in the midst of suffering.

Sharing our whole truth about a situation, a season of suffering, or pain is about vulnerability, honesty with self, and honesty with God. Then comes faith: trusting and believing that Jesus the Healer will meet us with compassionate presence when we reach out to Him. Knowing we are heard, seen, loved, and valued, that is a powerful thing. And this can be the beginning of healing.

For Personal Reflection: What would it look like for you to reach out to Jesus when you are hurting and share with Him your whole truth?