Touch with faith
Luke 8:40-48
KV 8:44 “She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.”
Good morning! The title of my message is “Touch with faith”. The KV is 8:44. Let’s read it together.
Long time ago, the late Dr. Samuel Lee once told me I am too serious to serve the American campus students. He said the man without humor is just like an immature man. So I tried to be funny in my class. One time, I try to practice some funny story at home, but my son David said, “Dad, don’t even try, you are not funny.” In fact, one famous actress is said that it is much easier for her to make people cry than laugh. So I still remain a very immature man.
Last week, we learn that in this world, there is a spiritual reality; Demon’s world and God’s world. Jesus had mercy on a demon-possessed man and saved him from a legion of demon. This man looked horrible because there were so many demons constantly tormenting him. Jesus had mercy on him and sacrificed a large herd of pigs to save this one man. After being healed, he wanted to follow Jesus, however, Jesus instead appointed him as a shepherd in the region to testify what God had done for him.
When we are young, we often feel invincible, so we often do some craze things, however, in life, perhaps nothing is more terrifying for people to face than serious disease and death. Next two weeks, we will study two events such as disease and death. They have something in common in that they were two women who were sick and healed by Jesus. I don’t know much about woman and their problems. It sometimes makes my wife very upset and depressed. However, Jesus knows the woman very well because He is the true husband for all women. Here, an older woman came to Jesus willingly while a young girl was known to Jesus through her father. From human point of view, he could have cured Jairus’ daughter first for she was an acute patient. She was rapidly progress to the point of death. However, in today's passage, Jesus healed one woman with a chronic bleeding problem first and made her whole again. From this passage, we can learn what kind of faith Jesus wants us to have.
Look at verse 40. "Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him." We know that Jesus had gone by boat with his disciples across the Sea of Galilee. On the way, he calmed the stormy sea and at the town of Gerasane, he healed a demon-possessed man at the cost of a large herd of pigs. This news spread quickly all over the place and a crowd at the west coast of Galilee also heard what Jesus had done. They all were waiting and welcomed Jesus. They were expecting something great from Jesus. Some of the crowd came out of curiosity to see or hear Jesus for themselves. Others came with personal problems to Jesus for help.
Luke mentions one specific man with an urgent problem. Look at verses 41-42a: "Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus' feet, pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying." Who was this man? His name was Jairus. The Bible says that he was a ruler of the synagogue. Obviously, he was a man of respect in the community, for to become a ruler of synagogue does not happen randomly. Jairus was probably a man of prestige and influence. But he did not come to Jesus with a formal, polite request. He came with a desperate plea. He fell at Jesus' feet, in public. He also pleaded with Jesus to come to his house and heal his dying daughter. She was his only daughter. Certainly, his daughter was a source of his joy and comfort of life. However, one day his daughter became very sick. We don’t know exactly what disease she was suffering from, but it appears to be very rapidly progressing. Maybe she got a bacterial meningitis, which may cause high fever, paralysis, seizures and often kill a healthy young people within 48 hours after first signs of infection. Desperate parents do anything to save their dying children. Then he heard the news, "Jesus is in town." In desperation, Jairus came to Jesus, believing that Jesus could make her well. He came humbly, putting aside all his prestige and pleaded Jesus to come and save his daughter. Jesus had mercy on him and was willing to give his hands on his dying daughter. As Jesus was on his way to Jairus' house, what happened?
Touch with faith (42b-44)
Look at verses 42b-44 “As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for 12 years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped." Who is this woman? This woman was in many ways different from Jairus. For starters she was a nameless woman; Jairus was a well-known, prominent man in the community. Jairus came with an urgent, emergency life-and-death situation for his daughter; this woman came with her own chronic, 12-year medical problem. Jairus was a man of wealth; this woman was poor, having spent all she had on doctors who couldn't heal her. Jairus came openly with a bold plea in public; this woman came secretly, too embarrassed to reveal her unclean, bleeding problem. Still, in spite of the differences, there was one important similarity with Jairus and the woman: they both came to Jesus with their serious problem, believing Jesus could help them. And they were right. Jesus helped them. Jesus accepted their faith in him. Jesus accepts all who come to him in faith. Let’s look at John 6:37. It says, "All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away." He never abandon those who come to him. We learn here that we have to come to Jesus with our problem. Coming to Jesus with our problem is the first step to be healed. Perhaps the problem is urgent. Perhaps it is chronic, persistent and you've nearly lost hope after many failures. In the Bible, often our sin problem is compared to mortal disease. Sin is just like an incurable disease. Some people may try to overcome his sexual immorality. Others may have drug addiction problem, or some others may have a severe depression, but their repeated failures make them despair. Their sin problem may grow more than 12 years. Then, how can we be cured? The first step is that we have to bring it to Jesus.
Whether our problem is urgent or chronic, we can come to Jesus. No one should wait until they get sicker. As the gospel song says, “Yes, He is mighty to save."
Let’s look at this woman’s problem more closely. What kind of obstacles she faced when she want to come to Jesus? This woman’s story is recorded in all three synoptic gospels. Mark gospel describes her more in detail. Let’s look at Mark 5:25-29. “25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.”
We don’t know exactly what kind of bleeding disease she may have had. She may have had a genetic disease such as hemophilia, which is difficult to be treated even by modern medicine. Initially, she was a beautiful young woman. She may have had a boyfriend who loved her very much. However, one day, she had developed this bleeding disease. After monthly regular menstruation, her bleeding did not stop. Initially, she thought her period may have prolonged. She could not tell her problem to others because of shame. She began to visit all the famous experts of medicine almost every month. Whenever she visited the so called experts of doctors for her disease, she expected getting better; however, strangely she suffered a lot under their care. They took out the blood sample tests, repeated bone marrow biopsies, CT scans, MRI, and gave her various expensive medicines, white tablets, yellow capsules and injections. Every time when she visited different doctors, which ended with a great disappointment and her symptoms got worse.
Besides this physical condition, she could not go to the temple or synagogue. Let’s look at Leviticus 15:25-27.
25 “‘When a woman has a discharge of blood for many days at a time other than her monthly period or has a discharge that continues beyond her period, she will be unclean as long as she has the discharge, just as in the days of her period. 26 Any bed she lies on while her discharge continues will be unclean, as is her bed during her monthly period, and anything she sits on will be unclean, as during her period. 27 Anyone who touches them will be unclean; they must wash their clothes and bathe with water, and they will be unclean till evening.
According to the Mosaic laws, she was unclean and anything she had touched became unclean. Obviously she could not have a normal life, nor have any relationship with others because if she touched anyone, he or she became unclean. Someone who knew her condition did not come to near her. When she went out to the people, from far away she must warn them by saying, “Unclean, unclean”, so she must let the people know she is coming and let them avoid touching her and became themselves unclean. Otherwise, if someone accidentally touched her, he or she became unclean and had to wash their clothes and bathe with water. Not only that, but they still would be unclean till evening. What a hassle! This situation has lasted, not just one year or two years, but 12 years. It was unbearable. I could understand little bit how she felt. In my high school days, I was contracted of TB. My mother wanted to avoid transmitting my disease to other family members, so she isolated all the utensils and bowls I had used. I could understand her rationale, but still it made me very angry. I felt isolated and quarantined. It lasted about 12 years. All my hope for cure banished.
Not only that, but another problem arose. In Korean old sayings, “the disease is a thief”. All her money and resources had run out after 12 years of various treatment, however, her condition was not getting better, instead, it was getting worse. Her bleeding became severe. She developed severe anemia due to unceasing bleeding. She felt dizzy, she developed fainting spell when she stood up. She felt extremely tired and her heart was pounding when she walked even one block. Now she did not have any money left so she could not go to the doctor or buy any medicine. Then, one day, she heard about Jesus, who healed a man with shriveled hand or cast out the demon from a demon-possessed man. Initially, she did not want to hear it because she did not want another disappointment again. However, when she heard that Jesus cleaned even men with leprosy, she changed her mind. Meeting Jesus became her obsession and it was her only hope. However, when she thought about her unclean condition, she thought she could not go to Jesus directly. She believed that if she just touches the edge of Jesus’ cloth, she could be healed completely. Now she heard that Jesus and his disciples were coming back from the other side of Galilee. So she was waiting for Jesus at the seashore overnight. However, it was impossible for her to go near Jesus. So many crowds were waiting for Jesus, pushing and shoveling around Jesus and near Jesus, the 12 disciples are guarding Jesus like NFL offensive guard protecting quarterback. They were ready to tackle anyone close to Jesus. This woman despaired, she thought I came so close to Jesus, but what can I do, it is impossible to go near Jesus. Then, suddenly, one man named Jairus with a loud voice came and the crowds opened the way. She found the chance. This woman sneaked right behind this man and Jairus’ desperate plea moved Jesus and Jesus began to move. All other people did not pay attention to this woman’s move and she sneaked just behind Jesus and finally she succeeded to touch the edge of his cloak. Then, she felt suddenly her body was changed. The foundation of her bleeding was dried up and her dizzy fainting spell was gone. She knew that her 12-year suffering was healed completely. Now she wanted to go away silently. She thought it would be best if she could slip away without notice. She knew that her touch made Jesus unclean. She knew many people around her became unclean too. She did not want to make a scene and delay Jesus’ way to Jairus’ house. The crowds were constantly pushing and shoveling, almost crushing Jesus. Jesus' disciples must have tried hard to guard and protect Jesus. Suddenly Jesus stopped and asked, "Who touched me?" All the people denied it. It seems out of question because of the situation. On behalf of people, Peter raised his voice. "Master," Peter said, "the people are crowding and pressing against you." It means, "What do you mean, 'Who touched me?' A lot of people have nearly crushed you!" However, Jesus insisted. Look at verse 46. “ 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” There were so many people in the crowds who were pushing and shoveling around Jesus, so many people may have touched Jesus on that day, but there is no record that any other people were healed, but this woman.
According to Mark 5:27, this woman clearly came to Jesus with an absolute faith, “if I touches his cloak, I will be healed”. I call this woman’s action “touch with faith”. Her healing faith has two component; touch and faith; Some people touch Jesus without faith. They are just like people in the crowds. They came to Jesus with curiosity rather than with faith. They came to Jesus with some doubt. They even contacted Jesus, but nothing happened to them. They are just like seeds sown in the path or rocky soil.
Then, what is faith? Let’s read Hebrew 11:1. “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Faith is confidence in what we hope for. Touch with faith means we have an absolute faith that if I touch even the edge of Jesus’ cloak, no matter what disease or how sinful we are I will be cured. We believe it with confidence. Although I don’t see it now, I can see it will be done beyond my human reason. Amen. That is the faith. According to Hebrews 11:6 “6 And 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 earnestly seek him.”
Anyone who comes to God must believe that He exists and He rewards those who earnest seek him. This woman’s attitude is those who earnestly seek him. It is impossible to please God without this faith. Only a man or a woman of faith can please God. A man or a woman of unbelief has God grieve instead of pleasing.
Among us, some has a husband’s sudden health problem. Others have their children’s bad behavior problem or husband’s stubbornness. As a human being, we all have some problem, big or small, acute or chronic. We should bring it to Jesus. Sometimes, he heals it right away, but sometimes, we have to wait for 12 years or even more. While I am preparing for this message, one thing is constantly bothering me. My son, David is still wandering and not knowing Jesus personally. During his childhood, our family had moved constantly, so he could not have many friends, probably has many wounds and scars in his heart. Sometimes, I pray for him just like a father with a demon possessed son. “Lord, I do believe. Help me my unbelief” This is like an oxymoron. I don’t know what I believe. But now I do know. I do believe that merciful Jesus will heal him completely someday. Amen. We should not lose our hope because hope is faith and faith is hope. We should have faith in Jesus, come to Him and touch with faith. Amen.
Go in peace (8:45-48)
Look at verses 45-48. 45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
This woman wanted to slip away quietly after healing. However, Jesus did not allow the woman to make a secret getaway. “He repeated, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me." Here, we can see Jesus is the power station and the source of the power. When she was connected to this power station by touching him with faith, the power has gone from Jesus to her and healed her. Jesus knew it. Look at John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” If we are connected to Jesus, we are sustained.
The woman could see that she couldn't escape Jesus' all-seeing eye and all-knowing mind. Instead of waiting for Jesus to call her out, she came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed.
Then, why did Jesus insist that she should reveal herself?
First, Jesus wanted to have a personal relationship with her. If she slipped away secretly, we never know what happened to her in God’s history. However, Jesus wanted to know her personally and helped her confess what happened to her. In this way, Jesus helped her to not be a secret, believer. Jesus helped her to share her testimony before others. Through her testimony, she confirmed Jesus' healing in her life. At the same time, she gave credit and glory to Jesus for what he had done. Jesus was not embarrassed to show the crowd that he blessed a bleeding, unclean woman. Jesus took her uncleanness upon himself. Actually, the holiness in Jesus overwhelmed all her uncleanness and healed her. Jesus' cleansing and healing power cured her. It is very important to know and confess what God has done in our lives. Can you testify to his saving grace in your life? Jesus wants us to share our testimony of his power and love in our lives. When we share what the Lord has done for us, we bring him thanks and praise and glory. Not only this, our faith in him is also strengthened. Romans 10:9-10 says, "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."
Testimony sharing is a kind of important part of our UBF ministry and a testimony sharing is one of the highlights in our conference because it reveals God’s grace in our lives and public acknowledgement of his mercy. Through our testimony sharing, we feel cleansed and sanctified in spite of all our sins and weaknesses. Spring Bible conference is near. Are you ready to share what God has done in your lives?
Second, Jesus wanted to give her real peace.
What happened after the woman shared her testimony? Probably she thought Jesus was going to rebuke her for touching him in her uncleanness. But Jesus commended her faith and sent her away in peace. The Bible says, "Then Jesus said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.'" Jesus called her "daughter." Did you know that she is the only recorded individual that Jesus called "daughter" in the gospels? Jesus loved her like his own child. He loved her as much as Jairus loved his own daughter. Jesus recognized her faith in him and pronounced her healing: "your faith has healed you." We learn that Jesus gives peace to trembling hearts and troubled souls who come to him and who reach out to him in faith.
The Bible does not record this woman’s name. However, according to the legend from the early church, she has been known as ‘Veronica’. According to the legend, she followed Jesus to the end after she was healed. When Jesus carried the cross and stumbled in Jerusalem streets, Veronica was there to wipe Jesus’ sweat and blood from his face with her hanker-chief. Jesus’ face was imprinted in her hanker-chief and she became one of the blessed women participating in Jesus’ suffering.
In conclusion, this woman came to Jesus by faith overcoming many obstacles. Jesus wanted to not only make this unclean woman whole, but have a personal relationship with her. Jesus wanted to give her real inner peace.
One word: Touch with faith
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