Woman of Faith

My favorite miracle is almost a side note in a larger story; while Christ is on his way to raise the daughter of Jairus from the dead, he heals a woman of faith (Mark 5:22-43).

It's easy to feel like the woman at the side of the road, uncertain if anyone knows your pain. One of my favorite hymns has the lyric,

In the quiet heart is hidden

Sorrow that the eye can't see (Lord, I Would Follow Thee)

This woman's heart hid the sorrow of a twelve-year illness. However, when she saw her Lord passing by, she had the faith to reach out her hand. In response, she received the assurance that the Divine Healer had granted the desire of her heart, and that her faith was acceptable to Him.

Christ performed many miracles during his earthly ministry; this was the natural result of the Messiah's presence on the earth and people's faith in Him. However, to me, this miracle is representative of how Christ is the ultimate healer: he healed the woman's body, but he also gave her the sweet assurance that she was known to Him. He stopped and noticed her, just like He will stop and notice me when I reach out my hand in faith.

I know that God has not ceased to be a God of miracles (Mormon 9:10-20). I love how Elder James E Talmage describes the miracles of Christ in his book, Jesus the Christ:

To comprehend the works of Christ, one must know Him as the Son of God; to the man who has not yet learned to know, to the honest soul who would inquire after the Lord, the invitation is ready; let him 'come and see.'