The Named and the Unnamed

He was an important synagogue official. She was a destitute, unnamed woman.

He was the pillar of society. She was an outcast because of her illness.

He was surrounded by family and friends. She was ostracized and alone.

For 12 years, he had laughed and loved. For 12 years, she had suffered and cried.

But at this moment their lives converged.
Both were desperate.
Both needed a miracle.
Both risked everything to get what they needed.
Both called on Jesus.

Life categorizes us. The “haves” and the “have nots”. The “important” and the “unimportant”. The “named” and the “unnamed”. The “church leaders” and the “unchurched”. The “housed” and the “unhoused”.

Society treats us differently accordingly. Society favors the haves, the important, the named, the leaders, the housed.

But Jesus makes no distinction. In His eyes we are all the have nots. We are all children. We all have equal access. We are all favored.

Society would not have stopped for the unnamed. Jesus stopped and engaged.
Society would have disciplined her for breaking the law. Jesus encouraged her faith.
Society would have called her a nuisance. Jesus called her daughter.

I’m so glad the song we sang as a child is true:

🎶 Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world.
Named, unnamed, rich, or poor,
They are precious in his sight.
Jesus love the little children of the world. 🎶

You are the little child Jesus loves. And regardless to your status in society, you are free to go boldly into His throne room of grace. Jesus is no respector of your position, your bank account, your number of Facebook followers. We all have equal access to Him regardless if we go to church twice a week or if we haven’t dawned a church our entire lives.

Therefore, Boldly go to Him. Jarius risked his position. The bleeding woman risked her life. Jesus engaged them both. Jesus answered each of their desperate cries. He will answer yours as well. Boldly go. Not as the named or the unnamed. Not as the rich or the poor. Go as His child. Go as His son. Go as His daughter. Just Go!

“But Jesus turning and seeing her said, “Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.” At once the woman was made well.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9:22‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬