Get Real November 23 Devotional
November 23, 2024
MATTHEW 9:20-22 | 20 Then suddenly a woman who had been suffering from a flow of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, 21 for she was saying to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that moment.
One of the cherished ethical principles in medicine is consent. Doctors are trained to inform their patients about the dangers and benefits of proposed and alternative procedures or treatments, and instructed to try to describe the likely course of a disease or health issue if no treatment is given. This allows the patient to agree to proceed, giving her “informed consent.” This process can be difficult, given the complexities of both problems and treatments, and the gap between the knowledge of lay people and professionals. The process is essential, however, because otherwise patients are unwilling participants, experimented upon by another.
Jesus also did not impose cures on people—they were never objects, always subjects. This is clearest when He commends their faith in seeking His help and entrusting themselves to His care. It is God’s power effecting the cure but there is human participation too, shown in the willingness to admit need, seek help, and believe in the possibility of a solution.
How do you understand Jesus’ remark to the bleeding woman, “your faith has made you well”?
