We all love a good story. Today we have a story within a story as we look at the story of two very different characters: Jarius and the bleeding woman.

Jarius was an important man who knew the Jewish law and understood the risk of coming to Jesus. He humbles himself, immediately displaying his faith. The bleeding woman would have been considered unclean and therefore would have been isolated. She came to Jesus quietly, but both of them came to Jesus with bold faith.

Sometimes our faith becomes static. We forget that faith requires us giving up our agenda to God’s timing. Sometimes faith requires us to sit at the feet of Jesus and wait- depending fully on God no matter what the situation.

Jarius came to Jesus with a strong and trusting faith. He had an urgent need, but his need was interrupted with this woman’s need. It wasn’t Jarius’ plan and that must have been frustrating. But Jesus relays words of comfort, telling him not to be afraid, but to trust in His timing. This requires full surrender.

Faith should embolden us to ACT, but sometimes it also requires WAITING, for our Father knows best. Faith is a release of our power to Jesus’ power which knows no barriers and brings freedom.

We worship an all powerful God who works with us to help us release our own power.

Our faith is personal. Not private, but personal. Jesus calls the bleeding woman “daughter” reversing her isolation and affirming that she is part of the family of God. This changed her and this can change us. In whatever problem or suffering we face, the presence of Jesus is what the Gospel offers.