33 The woman, with fear and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34 “Daughter,” he said to her,“your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be healed from your affliction.”

Mark 5:33-34

Claim Your Baggage (Mark 5:33-34)

In this passage, the woman comes to Jesus and tells him the whole truth. She tells Jesus everything. To tell Jesus everything must have been hard, as "with fear and trembling" in verse 33 indicates. Imagine that you were called in front of Jesus to tell him everything from your past...it would be intimidating!This moment makes me think about airport travel. In many instances, you check a bag to your destination, and upon arrival you head over to the baggage claim to pick up your luggage and head on your way. But imagine for a moment that the baggage that came around that conveyer belt isn't a suitcase with clothes and personal items, but it's your dark past, your lingering sin, or the ailment that defines you. Do you see it? It even has your name on it. Would you be willing to claim that baggage as your own and bring it to Jesus? Or are you just standing at the baggage claim watching your baggage circle and circle, trying to convince yourself and everyone else that it isn't yours? So you just stand there, never claiming your baggage.

The problem is, if you don't claim your baggage, you don't get to go home.

Historically, Christians have referred to this as confession and repentance. When we confess our sins to God, we claim our baggage and turn to Jesus Christ in faith.What is most powerful about this story is Jesus's response to the woman and us when we claim our baggage and bring it to him. He says,

"Daughter/Son, your faith has made you well."

This is the only time in the gospels that Jesus refers to someone as Daughter. He uses the most intimate name possible for this once-nameless woman.Today, the challenge is to claim your baggage, to bring it to Jesus. To confess your sin and repent. And friend, his response will be the same...Daughter/Son, your faith has made you well.