How Did Jesus Handle Problems?

Jesus' way of handling problems was far different from that of the Pharisees. Consider how Jesus handled a situation that could have been very serious. It involved a woman who had had a flow of blood for 12 years. You can read the account at Luke 8:42-48.

Mark's account says that the woman was "frightened and trembling." (Mark 5:33) Why? Doubtless because she knew that she had broken God's Law. According to Leviticus 15:25-28, a woman with an unnatural flow of blood was unclean for as it lasted, plus a week. Everything she touched and every person she came in contact with became defiled. To approach Jesus, this woman had to work her way through the throng. When we look at the account 2,000 years later, our hearts go out to her in her discomfort.

If you had been present that day, how would you have viewed the situation? What would you have said? Notice that Jesus treated this woman in a kind, loving and considerate way, not even alluding to any problems she may have caused. - Mark 5:34.

Can we learn something from this event? Suppose you were an elder in a Christian congregation today. And further suppose that Leviticus 15:25-28 were a Christian requirement today and that a Christian woman had violated that law, frantic and abandoned. How would you react? Would you publicly humiliate her with critical counsel? "Oh," you say, Never would I do that! Following Jesus' example, I would make every effort to be kind, loving, thoughtful and considerate." Very good! But the challenge is to do it, to imitate Jesus' pattern.

Essentially, people felt refreshed by Jesus, uplifted and encouraged. Where God's Law was definite, it meant what it said. If it seemed general, their conscience would come mroe into play and they could show their love for God by their decisions. The Law gave them room to live and breathe. (Mark 2:27, 28) God loved his people, worked constantly for their good, and was willing to be merciful when they faltered. Jesus was like that. - John 14:9.

Next time: Results Of Jesus' Teachings