Flesh and Blood

Generally, when people read the Gospel accounts, they derive philosophies and theologies from Jesus’ encounters with others.

Two Examples:
1. (John 8:1-11)
A Gospel Account: Jesus saves the woman caught in adultery by saying, “He who has no sin, cast the first stone.”
An Adopted Philosophy: No one should judge immorality if they are self-righteous. Jesus forgave the woman; therefore, we should also show mercy.

2. (Mark 5:25-34)
A Gospel Account: Jesus healed the woman who touched his robe. She was a woman who pushed through the crowds to get her healing, showing faith and determination.
An Adopted Philosophy: If a believer perseveres and show dynamic and determined faith, they will receive a miraculous healing.

We assume Gospel accounts represents a general philosophy about Jesus. I agree with this line of reasoning for the most part. However, I think our desire to generalize the actions of Jesus may be dangerous. Why? Because generalized concepts minimize the humans who were involved.

The woman who was caught in the act of adultery is NOT a model or a lesson. She is a real human being who had hurts and needs. She is a person who Jesus forgave, not mainly for our benefit. It would be disgraceful for Jesus to use her situation as a teaching. The main purpose of this encounter was not to teach a great truth about mercy, teaching on mercy is a secondary reason. The main reason Jesus saved this girl from death was just that: to save her from death. She was an individual person who needed love, acceptance, and forgiveness.

The same concern carries over to the woman with the issue of blood. It may be true that people filled with faith and determination will receive healing. This type of desperation should be introduced into our prayer lives. Nevertheless, this encounter should not be reduced to a teaching lesson. The woman with the issue of blood had a unique life that produced a determination that received the healing power of Jesus. Her healing is a one time, unique miracle. It won’t be reproduced over and over again. If your determination causes your healing, it is YOUR determination. Your knowledge of the woman with the issue of the blood may inspire your determination. However, your determination is not identical to the determination of the woman with issue of blood. She lived a life completely removed from a great philosophical understanding of generalized faith. God had a specific plan for her, which resulted in something greater than an worldwide understanding of God, her experience will always be hers alone.

I think the heart and soul of every human has a unique signature. When we study the Gospel, we should avoid the tendency to make the stories relevant to our lives, our situation, our struggle, or our faith. We must remain somewhat removed and remember that these encounters are about flesh and blood people. People who Jesus decided to encounter while He was on this earth: not for a universal philosophical understanding, but for an individual encounter with Jesus.