教會：15歲女兒的看法

MATTHEW 9:22

 

In Matthew 9:20, we learn of a woman who follows Jesus as He goes to perform a miracle on a ruler’s daughter. This woman, according to the Mosaic Law, is “unclean”. She suffers from a flow of blood and it has been that way for 12 years. She reaches out for Jesus’ backside thinking “If I only touch this garment, I will be made well.” And in verse 22, Jesus turns around and looks for her. 

This woman has probably been ostracized for being unclean, for being unholy, for not being ‘enough’ to be treated well and she does not present herself immediately for she fears that Jesus will do the same. 

‘He will take me for the law and drive me away’

‘He will reject me like everyone else.’

‘He will see me and cast me out.’

‘He will.’

He didn’t. 

“Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.”

And instantly, the woman was made well.

There are people who try to reach out for Jesus but only aim for the back of his cloak, for they fear the judgement that follows. They desperately want to see Him but they desperately fear the repercussions of the rules they break in doing so. How many people avoid going to church in fear of being judged and for being held against rules and ideas? Rules and ideas created by those who are self-righteous enough that they assume the position of a deity and regulate who should see God face-to-face and who should only have a glimpse at his backside.

Looking down into the eyes of this helpless and piteous woman, it’s amazing how much love Jesus has. 

Jesus did not reject anyone who had enough faith to push aside barriers and sought to follow him and that fact still stands.

If Jesus did not, then we- as the church, as the children of God who can speak to our Father face-to-face, as those who know we are loved, as those who understand that even though our sins have stained us that we are still loved nonetheless- should not either. 

How many people avoid going to church in fear of being judged and for being held against rules and ideas? Rules and ideas that God did not create and rules and ideas that Jesus did not hold against those who tried to seek Him. 

How many people avoid going to church in fear of being judged and for being held against rules and ideas? How many Christians avoid going to church and are unwilling to return out of the same fears? Rules and ideas that shouldn’t exist. Rules and ideas that should be tossed into garbage for a church is what should define love.

 

 A church is just a shorter way of referring to the children of God coming together as one, no matter how great or small in number, to worship and to grow. Churches should not have judgement, or condemnation or rejection. Why? For it is because of the unrelenting love of God. Because of His love, it doesn’t even matter if you are a one in dire need of a miracle or someone with a record of sins. It is because of your struggle for the back of his cloak, for it is because of your faith-NO MATTER HOW SMALL- God is willing and stubborn to accept you. God is adamant and unbreakable in giving you His approval. God wants to work His miracle through you.