The Bleeding Woman and the Young Girl | Matthew 9:18-26

18 While he was saying these things to them, suddenly a leader came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus got up and followed him, with his disciples. 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. 23 When Jesus came to the leader’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. 26 And the report of this spread through all of that district.

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When we enter onto the scene of our reading from Matthew there are lots of moving pieces muddying the view. I imagine the atmosphere is thick with tension and heat both physically and mentally. Jesus is a man on a mission, making his way through throngs of people as he moves towards where his ministry calls. Suddenly a religious leader from the surrounding area bounds in begging for Jesus’ attention and bidding him come and save his daughter who has just died. It is certain that this official and the gathering crowd know exactly who Jesus is and what his mission is about. It’s not a matter of can he save this dead girl?... It’s a matter of will he! As the crowd presses in, an ostracized woman with a bleeding disorder works up the courage to reach out and touch the beloved one as he passes. Amid the chaos Jesus looks upon this woman, feeling her presence among him and sees her. Really sees her. “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well” - not simply him, not his power but her act of faith and trust in the one she knew could restore her body to wholeness. 

Do you ever have those moments where you’re just like…Why me? Why does this bad thing have to happen to me? What did I do to deserve this? Am I cursed? No, but actually, am I cursed? So often we get caught up in the belief that things – both positive and negative – just happen to us. And honestly, this is a really passive way to live. It allows us to just watch as life passes us by. But oftentimes, the things we want are things we have to intentionally seek after and address ourselves. 

Sometimes, faith can seem a little superstitious. Like if I just pray to God and learn the 10 commandments and eat bread and drink wine every Sunday, that something magical will just happen to us. But the thing is this: we have the opportunity to stand in that gap and make choices through and with our faith. We are in charge of our own destiny, and we can act from a place, not of superstition, but from the belief that God will provide for those who ask. Y’all, grace is a free gift but you have to open your hands to it. 

So… what do we actually do when we’re in the position of dealing with our version of a bleeding disorder in the chaos that is the world? We root ourselves in our agency. We take stock of the fact that God blessed us with free will and the resources to connect with the very part of ourselves that are capable, and effective, and powerful. When you reach out your hand, God will reach out their hand towards you.

Prayer: 

God, we reach out our hand to you knowing not exactly what we need but trusting that you know and can provide more than we can ever ask, think, or imagine. Be in our hearts Lord as they break at the state of the world. Be on our lips Lord as we utter kind words to our neighbors and prayers for our enemies. Be our feet Lord that our paths lead to things which give glory to you and reflect your light back into the world. Be with us lord God we pray today and always. Amen.

Rev. Kelsey Green, MDiv 

Camper 2006-2016 

Student Council Vice President 2014-2015

Faculty Advisor 2020-2024

Asst. Director 2025-Present

Puddling Starter 2014-2016

Jenga "Tilting Towers” Player 2010-2011

The Great Slip n Slide Incident of 2008 Participant 

Emma Turner, LMHC-D

Camper 2008-2017 

Student Council President 2015-2016

Asst Publicity Director 2017-Present

Camp Historian 2025-Present

Half Time Show Performer 2013, 2014, 2015

Supervet Pool Attendee 2017

Inventor of Secrets in the Dark

Mattress War Enthusiast