Words to the Wise: He Calls You Daughter
But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that very hour.
Matthew 9:22b
What does it mean to be a daughter?
At its simplest level, being a daughter means belonging to a family - a girl or woman in relation to her parents. However, connotatively, being a daughter means not only belonging to someone, either by nature or adoption but being accepted. Beloved, not for what you’ve done, but simply for who you are.
When the woman with an issue of blood heard the word, “daughter,” from Jesus, she knew it meant that she was accepted.
The Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) record this story, providing different vignettes of this beautiful event. The woman with the issue of blood interrupted Jesus' intention to heal Jairus' daughter; Jairus' young daughter was dead. The woman touched Jesus' robe and was instantly healed of her affliction which happened for 12 years.
Then Jesus asked, "Who touched me?" This miracle occurred with a lot of people surrounding the Son of Man as he went on his way to heal Jairus' daughter. The disciples wondered at this question, and the woman was afraid to reveal herself. Being a Jew, she would have been considered unclean and thus would have isolated herself from society.
But she came forth. She told Jesus that she believed if she touched the edge of his garment, she would be made well. And it is here that Jesus calls her daughter, meaning that she has been reconciled to her Father. It is here where Jesus commends her for the faith she demonstrated, saying that it has made her well. And he tells her to go in peace.
The beautiful truth about the gospel is that it goes to everybody, both Jews and Gentiles. Next week we'll look at the story of a Gentile woman who also had her daughter made well by Jesus. Because of God's mercy (just as Jesus demonstrated to this woman), He saved you, sending Christ to die in your place for your sins and rise again to give you eternal life. But the gospel also means that you belong to God, who is your Father (Romans 8:9), and you have a family of believers. It means that nothing will separate you from the Father's love (Romans 8:39) and that He will never cast you out; no one can take you from the Father’s hands (John 6:37; 10:29).
If you’re lonely, looking for friendship, love, companionship - remember the Father’s everlasting love for you today.
Discussion Questions
How does it impact your view of God that He wants you to know him?
How does it make you feel that God holds you and keeps you forever?
What is one thing you want to do this week to remember your Father’s love for you?