Carina Francke

Luke 8:42-45: "As Jesus was on his way, the crowd almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her.  She came up behind Him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. 'Who touched me?' Jesus asked."

In the above portion of Scripture two individuals are under discussion: a respected man who pleads for the life of his dying child, and a sick, cast out woman who seeks healing for herself without anyone noticing her.  On His way to the little girl, He interrupts his journey to pay attention to the woman who shyly touched the edge of His cloak and was healed immediately. But Jesus wants to know more about her than her merely being healed; He wants to know her as a person - He wants to minister to her complete person. When she eventually  came forward, He says to her: "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace." (V47)

This interruption though, does not distract Him from the urgent request regarding the little girl, even though she passed away already. When He arrived at her house, He took her by the hand and said:" 'My child, get up!' Her spirit returned and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat."(v54)

Jesus' life bore the fruit He was destined for - to be a person for people on earth, despite their position, sex or age. This fruit of obedience though, bears even more and better fruit - His Father receives the honor due to Him.

In practical terms fruit represents good works - a good deed, thought, attitude and lifestyle that brings honor to God. But it entails more than the mechanical execution of good deeds - it should  be inspired by one's love for God and one's love for people. Without it, good works are merely charity; good works for the sake of good works itself. And this is dangerous, it easily leads to self-exaltation.

In this matter Jesus is our example - He never paused at people merely to perform good deeds,  but He saw the real person behind the people He encountered - He also touched their spirits, their whole being with love. And in the end His good deeds were fruit that honored His Father.

Prayer: My Father, thank you that I am able to bear fruit by the Spirit that lives within me. Prevent me from doing good works merely to soothe my conscience, but enable me to minister to people's whole persons so that in the end their lives will  honor You.  Amen.