Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.
Here a chronically ill woman seeks a point of contact with Jesus.
All the efforts of her doctors only made her worse. Then one day she hears about a Man of God who can do astounding things.
In her own way, this woman is amazing too! Her faith in Jesus is so great she thinks touching the clothes He’s wearing will heal her.
Anxiously, she works her way through the massive crowd and reaches out - Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
Jesus turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?" His students were baffled by this question because so many people were touching Him. Many with pressing needs of their own!
Yes many, but only one with a faith to match her need!
Jesus says it! There was no magic in His clothes. Her faith was the point of contact with His power!
Today there are many who profess belief in Jesus. But few have the trust in Jesus this woman displayed?
Doesn’t every Christian profess belief in Jesus? Of course, but often this is mere mental assent to the fact of who He is - I believe Jesus is the Son of God.
Faith goes much farther and deeper. It not only believes He is who He claims to be. It is a living trust He will act on our behalf in ways the rest of the crowd misses entirely.
In her encounter with Jesus, this unnamed woman teaches the real meaning of faith. The vast difference between believing Jesus can do something and trusting He will do it! Is doing it!
What 2 things must you believe to have a faith that pleases God?
ReplyDeleteI have asked that several tims, and most get 1/2 right. Many know how Heb 11:6 begins "And without faith it is impossible to please God, ..." But do we know the rest of the verse?
"... because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists... "
Ok, we got that one right - we have to believe in God Himself. I believe that is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Why else would Jesus command on be baptized in the name of all 3? (Matt 28:18-20)
But what is that second thing?
"...anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
Not only did the woman believe Jeuss cold heal her, she believed he would. Many of us believe in Jesus, but do we dooubt his willingness to reward us?
Have I sinned too much? Could He really love someone like me? Have I blown so many chances that I won't get another? Does He really hear my prayers? Will He really anser them?
Aren't we to approach the throne of grace with confidence? (Heb 4:16)
Aren't we supposed to come to Him when we are tired and weary - for rest? (Matt 11:28-30)
What rest is there in a nonconfident approach?
"Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who diligently seek him." Heb 11:6
Seek diligently, and be strong in faith!