TFT – MATTHEW 9

FAITH VS FEAR

Note: the account of the healing of this woman is found in Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-24; and Luke 8:43-48.

For twelve long years she had suffered. The bleeding would not stop. Her condition made her “ceremonially unclean,” physical weak, and embarrassed. She had seen many physicians. She had spent all that she had on them—but none were able to help at all. Instead of getting better she had only gotten worse (Mark 5:25-25). She had lost all hope. The good news is that it is typically when we come to and end of ourselves, that we look to God for help (Cf. Luke 15:15-17). And He never disappoints.

“When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.”

She heard about Jesus. She had heard of his power to heal. She thought to herself, “If I just touch His garments, I shall get well” (Mark 5:24-25). Her plan had fear to overcome. Jesus was on an important mission. Jairus’ daughter had died and he had come to Jesus for help. The crowds were pressing in on Him as He made his way there (Mark 5:22-24). She was “ceremonially unclean” and in no condition to be near a man, let alone this Man. The crowds made it difficult to get even near to Him.

Faith finds a way when there isn’t any way. It overcomes obstacles and difficulties and sets its sight unwaveringly on its object. In this case the object was most trustworthy. She had heard reports of His ability to heal. She was determined to make her way to Him, to touch His garments, to be made well. How is your faith in Jesus? Have you heard reports of His power to save? How He can forgive your sins and transform you from the inside out? No matter how long you have been in your lost condition, His power to save knows no limits. He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him! Have you trusted in Him for salvation? Believer in Christ, are you making your way to Him each day, knowing that He has the power to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that you ask or think? Is your faith overcoming the obstacles of past failures, contrary opinions, and doubtful thoughts?

She made her way to Jesus and touched the hem of His garments. “And immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction” (Mark 5:29). Just to touch His garments was to experience His transforming power. His cure was no half-hearted thing! Doctors had promised for a cost what they could not deliver. Jesus freely and immediately accomplished what no doctor had been able to do. When we were in Uganda we visited a church called “What Doctors Cannot Do Jesus Can Church.” Great name for a church! But perhaps a better title would be “What Nobody Else Can Do Jesus Can Church,” because He alone can heal a man completely of all His afflictions. The Adamic disease is at the source of all others. Jesus did miracles of many kinds. His greatest miracle is the salvation of the sin-sick soul, whereby the rebel sinner is transformed into a worshiper of God!

Jesus recognized that “the power proceeding from Him had gone forth” (Mark 5:30). He looked around at the crowd and asked “Who touched My garments?” The disciples look around and saw only a crowd. Jesus looked around and saw the woman. The woman “fearing and trembling…came and fell down before Him, and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed from your affliction” (Mark 5:34). We are not told what happened to that woman afterwards. But the record of her healing has left us with this truth: “If I make my way to Jesus He can deal with my need.” It’s really as simple as that. Peter put it this way: “Casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7-NKJV).

Hymnwriter George Root penned this hymn, based on this passage, in the 1800s:

She only touched the hem of His garment
As to His side she stole,
Amid the crowd that gathered around Him;
And straightway she was whole.

Chorus: Oh, touch the hem of His garment!
And thou, too, shalt be free!
His saving power this very hour
Shall give new life to thee!

He's pow'rful, present, real and gracious;
Thou too canst touch Him now!
Just come and touch while He is still passing,
His power thou shalt know.

Just touch in faith and touch Him in spirit,
And He will make thee whole;
And peace that passeth all understanding
With joy will fill thy soul.

Pastor Jerry