Am I Worthy?
Luke 8:40-48 (ESV)
Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus' feet, he implored him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying.
As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
Reflection
She was forced to wear a scarlet letter. She was made an outcast in her society because of her unclean life. The historical fiction novel, “The Scarlet Letter,” was written to show that even though Hester Pyrnne had sinned in committing adultery, all of humanity is unclean, and we have no right to single anyone out or make anyone feel unworthy or publicly ashamed. Neither should we look at ourselves as having done more wrong than God could ever forgive.
Like the character in “The Scarlet Letter,” the woman in our Biblical text was considered an outcast in society because of her flaws, namely an issue of blood that made her unclean in her town. This woman, who wanted only to secretively touch Jesus’ healing garment, was shunned and in her own way, wore the scarlet letter of rejection and shame. Yet she believed the truth that Jesus could heal her and make her worthy, unlike what others said. So she stepped out in faith and was healed and made worthy again.
We all should wear a scarlet letter of sin and separation because of things that we’ve done in our lives or because of bad choices we make. Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. This is the reason Jesus sacrificed His life for us. Jesus makes us worthy. He shed His scarlet blood on the cross to cover our sins. Because of Jesus, we don’t have to wear that scarlet letter. Once we ask Jesus to forgive us, He remembers our sins no more (Hebrews 8:12). What a joyous truth that can change our lives!
Action Steps
1. Why do we want to make others feel unworthy? Is it to make us feel more worthy? Is it so that we can justify our lifestyle? Both are wrong. We can only be made worthy because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross!
2. If you haven’t already, ask Jesus to take control of your life as you accept Him as your Lord and Savior. He alone will make you worthy!
Prayer
Father God, I want to be made worthy of Your love and forgiveness. Thank You for making a way for me to do so. Cover all of my unworthiness with Your scarlet blood of forgiveness. I am so very thankful that I am worthy to be Your forgiven child, and I look forward to spending eternity with You. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.
Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus' feet, he implored him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying.
As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
Reflection
She was forced to wear a scarlet letter. She was made an outcast in her society because of her unclean life. The historical fiction novel, “The Scarlet Letter,” was written to show that even though Hester Pyrnne had sinned in committing adultery, all of humanity is unclean, and we have no right to single anyone out or make anyone feel unworthy or publicly ashamed. Neither should we look at ourselves as having done more wrong than God could ever forgive.
Like the character in “The Scarlet Letter,” the woman in our Biblical text was considered an outcast in society because of her flaws, namely an issue of blood that made her unclean in her town. This woman, who wanted only to secretively touch Jesus’ healing garment, was shunned and in her own way, wore the scarlet letter of rejection and shame. Yet she believed the truth that Jesus could heal her and make her worthy, unlike what others said. So she stepped out in faith and was healed and made worthy again.
We all should wear a scarlet letter of sin and separation because of things that we’ve done in our lives or because of bad choices we make. Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. This is the reason Jesus sacrificed His life for us. Jesus makes us worthy. He shed His scarlet blood on the cross to cover our sins. Because of Jesus, we don’t have to wear that scarlet letter. Once we ask Jesus to forgive us, He remembers our sins no more (Hebrews 8:12). What a joyous truth that can change our lives!
Action Steps
1. Why do we want to make others feel unworthy? Is it to make us feel more worthy? Is it so that we can justify our lifestyle? Both are wrong. We can only be made worthy because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross!
2. If you haven’t already, ask Jesus to take control of your life as you accept Him as your Lord and Savior. He alone will make you worthy!
Prayer
Father God, I want to be made worthy of Your love and forgiveness. Thank You for making a way for me to do so. Cover all of my unworthiness with Your scarlet blood of forgiveness. I am so very thankful that I am worthy to be Your forgiven child, and I look forward to spending eternity with You. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.
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