| And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. 45 "Who touched me?" Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you." 46 But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me." 47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace." (Luke7:43-48) |
Jesus had such love and care for people, when everyone else looked at the woman with the issue of blood they saw someone who was dirty and an outcast but Jesus was compassionate on her. The heart of a missionary is inclined to people regardless of the situations they are in. Jesus looked at the woman and realised that she had faith to be healed and he declared her healed because of her faith.
When Jesus interacted with people he always met their needs. He fed the hungry, he cast out demons, he brought wholesomeness and fullness of life to the woman who had been suffering and battling with the issue of blood for twelve years. Jesus also ensured that the outcasts were accommodated. This was a woman who had been rejected and left out in the arenas of life but she found refuge and solace in Jesus.
The people whom Jesus touched were never the same, the story of their lives changed, from outcast to accepted in the beloved. The woman with the issue of blood was totally healed and made whole, she was never the same. All things in her life were brought back to normal in her life.
Jesus encounter with people brought conviction to those who were not living right, those who didn't know God and his power got to know him. What a saviour he was to heal restore and bring joy in people's lives. Jesus never left people the same. Many testified of the power of God in their lives.
Jesus Christ is Lord over all and for all. Oh that missionaries with selfless hearts like Christ would arise and bring comfort to those that mourn.
Luke 4:18-19:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour."
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Rev Matarofa Mutonganavo is a UPCSA ordained minister currently serving as chaplain of Gloag Presbyterian mission schools in Zimbabwe. He is also currently the moderator of the presbytery of Zimbabwe. He is married to Angella with three children.
