readings 1Kings 17:1-end; Mark 5:21-end
surely these passages demand a consideration of 'healing'. WEll yes but there are also aspects which I notice today.
The healings are
Woman whose child is not breathing. The woman has served Elijar food from the flour and oil she has which would have been the last meal for her son and herself, yet this small amount continued to supply both herself, her son and Elijar.
The bleeding woman who reached out to touch Jesus in the crowd.
And the daughter of Jairus whom they were told was dead before Jesus could get to her.
So three healings.
After her son is healed the woman in the Kings passage recognises that the Word of the LORD that comes from Elijars mouth is truth.
At the beginning of the Mark passage a synogogue leader 'Jairus' came to Jesus and falling on his knees asked Jesus to come with him to heal his dying daughter.
The bleeding woman then touches his cloak as she believes she only needs to touch his cloak to be healed.
In each of these passages the healing not only is enables or reflects 'faith' it also marks how the healing is from the LORD, yet is focused at an individual level.
Jesus ensures that he turns to confirm with the woman that it is her faith that has healed her - he says to her "Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." we can feel the comfort and reassurance that the woman would have gained from his direct and loving attention.
The synagogue leader had faith that Jesus could heal his dying daughter. Jesus 'went with him' again his love and attention focused the individuals involved at 'street', or 'grass root' level.