Faith that Presses On
Matt 9:20-22
As always, in order for us to get the whole account of what is going on in an event in the life of Christ, it is often necessary for us to travel to the other gospels for help. You can find this story in the gospel of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
Jesus was returning from the other side of Galilee, only to find himself greeted by a multitude of people. You see they had already heard of the ministry of Christ, and they wanted to see for themselves if what they had heard was true. (Have you ever noticed in life, that wherever Jesus is working, there are multitudes of people?) They wanted, if possible to apart of this ministry. Just then off in the distance, we notice a man making his way through the crowd. There is something different about this man though. He is not cheering as the others; no it appears that this man is weeping. Then it happened, he finally made his way were he could see Jesus, and he ran a fell at the masters feet. (Have you ever noticed how certain situations in life will bring you to the point where your only hope is to fall down at the feet of the Savior?) He began to weep uncontrollably. As Jesus looked down, He noticed that this was Jarius, a ruler in the synagogue, the janitor. Jarius pleaded with Christ to come with him and to lay his hand upon his 12-year-old little girl, for he believed that if Jesus would just touch her, she would live. Jesus told Jarius that he would come, and they left immediately on the journey to his house. When we say they left, understand that this included not only Jarius and Jesus but the disciples and the multitude as well.
As they were making there way, and as they people pressed against Jesus trying to get closer, trying to hear what the master would say, there was a woman afar off in the distance. Just then, she began to move through the crowd. She was very small, and frail. Her countenance was weak, but what else would you expect. This woman has had an issue of blood for 12 years. She had seen all the doctors. She had been to all the treatment centers. As a matter of fact, the Bible tells us that she had spent all her living trying to find a cure for this disease. She had nowhere else to go, so she came to Jesus! This woman had determined if she could just reach out and touch the hem of his garment, she would be healed. Then it happened. She saw her hand reach out; her fingers gripped the fabric, (I wonder for a moment what it was like to touch the fabric of the robe of Christ). Then it happened, immediately she felt the fountain of blood within side her dry up…she was healed!
Jesus stopped where He was and turned around and began to question the crowd whom it was who had touched Him, because He sensed that virtue (power) had left His body. One by one the men began to deny. Peter, (wouldn’t you know it was Peter) stepped up and asked how Jesus could ask such a question, could he not tell that the crowd was pressed up against him since the time they left the boat. The woman spoke up though, and she told Jesus all that she had been through and of her faith in His healing touch, and Jesus said to her. “Daughter (don’t you like the fact that He called her daughter? You know that is the way He speaks to you and I today, we are His children) be of comfort, thy faith hath made you whole”
There are a few things that I believe we can learn from this account today:
I. We all have needs
Jarius and the woman both had needs just like you and I find ourselves in need this morning. The one had a need to see Jesus work in the life of another, and the woman had a need that Jesus would work in her own life. The importance is though, that they realized their need and they acted upon it. Unfortunately in our day and time, so many people are busy running from here or there, their needs are overlooked and they often go unmet. We have people today who are struggling financially, spiritually, and physically. We see people who are in need of a Savior and in need of forgiveness, but unless someone in praying for them. Unless someone is telling his or her needs to the Father, it is very well that this person or perhaps even your own need will go unmet this morning. And in turn we will not be able to experience the life that Christ has for each one of us until we come unto the Savior.
II. We must humble ourselves
After we come to the realization that we do have needs in our life and in the life of those around us. We must realize that these needs cannot be met within our own power. Most of the time, the needs that you have in your life are just too big for you to handle. There must come a time in your life when we take our eyes off of man and the programs of man, and become dependant on God. There must be a time when we turn our needs over to Him, and let go of our own ambitions. Let me say this, you can go to AA, NA, counseling, rehab, therapy, or what ever 12 step program that your heart desires, but what ever happened to the wonderful counselor…great physician….prince of peace? Are you seeking deliverance today? Are you ready to see your needs met? Are you ready to be used of God in helping to meet the needs of other? Then humble yourself, take your eyes off of man, and put them on the Savior!
III. Nothing Stopped Them
They crowds were all around. There was seemingly no way up to the front. Nonetheless they pushed, wiggled, and wormed their way through. They did anything and everything in their power to get into the presence of Christ. We must not allow anything to stop us this morning. The mistakes you have made will try to keep you from coming to Christ. Your family will tell you that you are crazy for going to church and trusting in Jesus for everything. Your friends may ridicule and abandon you for the stand that you are trying to take. You might even be saying that you have never experienced anything quite like this before, and you can’t go on. Have you ever thought that what is happening to you and in your life is a good thing? Listen, when you remove yourself from the equation, and you begin to rely on God for everything, you will not feel the same! The reason…you are no longer in control. God is in control and you are now submitted to His ways and His timing, you are trusting in Him. Do not allow anything from stopping you from continuing to strive with all your heart from coming into the presence of God.
IV. When Jesus Moves, You will know it
Immediately the woman felt the fountain of blood dry up within her, and she knew that she was healed! This morning understand that Jesus wants to meet your needs. Unfortunately, Satan wants your needs to continue to go unmet, so he is going to throw anything and everything at you to keep you from experiencing the power of God. Let me share this with you, when Jesus sets us free, we are free indeed! When He moves in your life, it will be impossible for you to stay the same. Do not fight the change that God desires to make in your life. Allow God to have control and move you in the direction that He desires for you today.
V. It All Rests on Faith
Notice that it wasn’t her action that healed her, Jesus says, “Thy faith has made you whole”. By faith you can be saved this morning and have the hope of eternal life. By faith you can live a life that is pleasing unto him. And by faith, you can see all your needs and desires come true.
First,
1. You must realize your need
2. You must humble yourself
3. Do not allow anything to stop you
4. By faith, sit back and watch what the Lord can do
