In college, I observed a court case for one of my classes. The defendant approached the bench and said, “I swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.” Sometimes the truth can be challenging, but honesty always brings light.

I don’t ever want to be on a witness stand myself, but it does make me think about how my honesty with Jesus matters. The truth brings us to a place of security and peace with God.

I was reading a familiar passage of Scripture the other day. It’s the story of a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years and was desperate for healing.

A couple of things stand out to me, and it renews my spirit. First of all, the Gospels do not mention the woman’s name. Some names are mentioned in the Bible, but not always. It’s a reminder to me that reputation doesn’t matter. Reputation or our family heritage doesn’t matter. What matters is our longing to run to the One we know can heal us and bring us wholeness. Only Jesus Christ can do that for us.

Secondly, I love that the woman needing a healing touch told Jesus the whole truth. She reaches for Jesus and touches his cloak. Noticing the power that parted from Him, Jesus asked the crowd who had touched Him.

Then the woman knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth.

Mark 5:33

She tells Jesus the whole truth. While we don’t know what she told Jesus, we know she was honest with Him. When we find ourselves desperate, do we tell the whole truth? When a friend asks how you are, and you respond with, “I’m fine,” are you telling the whole truth? Maybe we do that with Jesus, too?

But what if we tell Jesus the whole truth?

Jesus invites us to share the whole truth. What do you need to be honest about?

The other day, I had something that was bothering me, so I had to be real with Jesus about it all. My thoughts were consumed, and I didn’t want those thoughts to stay. So, I had to tell Jesus the whole truth. I had to talk it out with Him. No matter what you need to talk about, Jesus cares and honors your honesty. You can tell Him everything.

Jesus saw the desperation and honesty of the woman needing healing. She wasn’t concerned about the crowds. She just knew that she had to get to Jesus and touch Him.

He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

Mark 5:34

Her faith healed her. Our faith can heal us, too. Jesus can heal us of our hurts and brokenness, our bodies, and anything else that bounds our freedom. Sometimes we need unshakeable faith to be real with Jesus. I had to faithfully let go of what was consuming my thoughts to Jesus and trust that He has me and I am whole.

Not only did Jesus heal the woman’s health, but He also released peace and freedom to her. And while Scripture doesn’t reveal her name, Jesus calls her daughter. He says, “Daughter, your faith has healed you.”

What do you need to share with Jesus today? No crowds. Just you and Jesus. As you share the whole truth in the secret place with Jesus, I imagine He will say something like, “Daughter or Son, I’m so glad you’re here.”