Read Mak 5:21-34

The life of a Dalit, also known as “Untouchable,” in India is defined by ritual impurity. Inherited from their parents at birth, this unclean status excludes them from mixing with so-called pure people, from doing clean work, or from entering any holy place. Their touch is considered defiling.

In today’s reading, the shame of the hemorrhaging woman’s unclean status was something she could not escape. The chronic nature of her condition was miserable. The doctors had bled dry her economic resources, too. But the worst effect of her ongoing illness was how it redefined all her relationships. Like a leper, the woman’s bleeding condition excluded her from approaching God in His temple or from interacting freely in her community. Anything she touched would be instantly unclean.

In contrast to the synagogue leader who could directly ask Jesus to touch his daughter, the woman had to try to figure out a way to get His needed touch without either making Him ritually unclean or receiving His rebuff. If she were caught, the whole crowd would deride her for daring to defile a holy man. Fear held her back, but faith compelled her to risk reaching out.

Continue reading Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – HEMORRHAGING WOMAN: HEALING FROM SHAME →

Read Genesis 4:1-16

By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. Hebrews 11:4

Presenting gifts is a customary part of official government visits. Lady Kramer, the British transport minister, discovered too late that her present to Mayor Ko Wen-je of Taipei, Taiwan—a watch from the House of Lords—was more gaffe than gift. In Chinese culture, giving someone a clock or watch is considered in bad taste, since the phrases “giving a clock” and “attending an old person’s funeral” are pronounced similarly. “I had no idea a gift like this could be seen as anything other than positive,” Lady Kramer said. “In the U.K. a watch is precious—because nothing is more important than time.”

Cain had worked the earth by the sweat of his brow to produce a gift for God, but God favored his younger brother’s instead. We are told in the book of Hebrews why Cain’s offering was insufficient: it was not offered in faith (Heb. 11:4). Cain might have responded to God’s rejection of his offering with humble contrition, but he chose to turn away from God in anger.

Continue reading Moody Global Ministries – Today in the Word – Cain: Shame Covered Up →