Dave’s Monday Blast – March 4, 2019
In 2009 a very interesting project broke ground at a site on the western shores of the Sea of Galilee between the modern day city of Tiberius and the historic region of Capernaum. The site was known to be the “home town” of Mary Magdalene; then and now called Magdala. A Catholic Friar desired to built upon this historic site a “guesthouse” as a place for pilgrims to experience a crucial place of ministry for Christ, and to better understand the faith of two women mentioned in the gospel accounts; Mary Magalene and the Woman with an” issue of blood”.
Mandatory archaeological tests are required for all construction projects in Israel (to date only 20 % of the country has been excavated) and that excavation led to an incredible discovery; a first century synagogue on the Sea of Galilee. This synagogue is one of only seven from this period in the entire world and has proven to be the archaeological gem amidst the remains of the 2,000 year-old city of Magdala. Why God chose to delay discovery of this site until 2009 is unknown but it is already identified as a very special place of history and culture for the Jewish community as Magdala sits at the crossroads of Jewish and infant Christian history. Needless to say, the “guesthouse” project is progressing at a very different pace and its scope has dramatically changed.
Although the history of this town is rich and worth a closer examination, my interest is really on one particular event found in Mark chapter five. “If I can just touch the hem of his garment, I will be healed.” This was said by a broken woman who was looking for healing. Bleeding for 12 years, she was considered an outcast. Due to her condition, she was not allowed into the temple, nor was she allowed to touch another person. She felt cut off from God and from man. The doctors offered no hope, but Jesus had come to town. 
Author David Yarborough comments, “She believed that if she could just touch the hem of his garment that she would be healed. She did touch Jesus that day, and he touched her as well. He touched her more deeply than she had ever imagined. The Scripture records, “Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.” (Mark 5:29).
She reached out to Jesus in faith, and she was rewarded with a divine release of power from the Son of God into her life. Her blood had been flowing out for 12 years. Blood is symbolic of life in the scripture. It was as if her life was flowing away, ebbing out of her. And then His life flowed in. The same power of Christ is still available today. Paul referred to Jesus as a life-giving Spirit (1 Corinthians 15:45). He gives life to those who truly look to Him in faith, for those who reach to Him in faith.
Next week I want to continue with “The Rest of the Story”. How does Jesus respond to this faith driven touch of desperation? God passionately desires to have a personal relationship with each of us. He is always INTENTIONAL about His encounters. Be watchful for His presence.
