Monday, February 11, 2013

THE GOSPEL: One Touch Changed a Life!

Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’" (Luke 8:43-45; Matthew 9:20; Mark 5:25-31)

There are certain events recorded in the books of the Bible that we all are very familiar with, because they are spoken of very often.  The healing of the woman with the issue of blood is one of those.  While Jesus was on His way to Jairus' house, to heal his daughter (see THE GOSPEL: Life More Than Flesh), this woman touched His clothing, and immediately her flow of blood stopped.  Jesus knew immediately that someone had touched Him, but as Peter and the others exclaimed, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?  In other words, they are saying there were too many people there to count, so how does He expect to be able to tell which one person touched Him.

But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” (Luke 8:46-48; Matthew 9:21-22; Mark 5:32-34) It's amazing what "faith" can and will do! (see HEBREWS: Faith in God, Worth the Wait; Faith) Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

This woman had a problem that no one had been able to solve.  She had heard about Jesus, surely because of all of the miracles of healing He had performed.  She determined in her heart that if she could just get close to Him to explain her situation, He could do something to help her.  She was able to get through the crowd of people and just touch His clothes, and then immediately was healed. Her faith mixed with her determination brought about her healing!  Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well! 

God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God. Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; For You render to each one according to his work. (Psalm 62:11-12) The Apostle Peter preached the following to believers some time after Christ Jesus had ascended back to the Father, and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all— that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. (Acts 10:34-38)

Just like this woman with the issue of blood, when we realize that we need help and that man can't do anything for us, we need to seek the Lord God for healing.  Even if God leads us to a person for help, we can rest assured that just as God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, He has anointed others with the same power of His Holy Spirit.  Jesus said, But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you... (Acts 1:8) and Jesus promised, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do,... (John 14:12) All we have to have is a "little faith", and not only will God do miraculous things in our lives, but He will also empower us to do even greater things for others. (see THE GOSPEL: Parable of the Mustard Seed & Leaven) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,... (Ephesians 1:3)

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