The Fringe and
Laughable - touching Jesus
Context:
- Jairus, a ruler of the
synagogue, falls at Jesus' feet, imploring Him to lay hands on his 12
year old daughter, who is at the point of death.
- The crowd was pressing
around Him.
- In the crowd was a
woman who had been bleeding for 12 years.
- She had suffered much
under many physicians, spending all that she had (a health care
crisis 2000 years ago).
- She was only getting
worse, but had heard of Jesus, and was sure that touching Him was the
answer to her problems.
- She managed to touch
the fringe of His garment, probably one of the 4 tassels which men
wore to remind them to obey God's commands and to be Holy.
Mark 5:30 "...And
Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him,
immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who
touched my garments?...”
Luke 8:45,46 "...And
Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it,
Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on
you!” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I
perceive that power has gone out from me....”
Matthew 9:22 "...Jesus
turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your
faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was
made well..."
Mark 5:34 "...And
he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well;
go in peace, and be healed of your disease....”
Luke 8:48 "...And
he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well;
go in peace...”
Sidebar on current
healing remedies: For menstrual blood flow, a woman as to eat a
barley grain from the dung of a white mule. If she held it down for
one day, her discharge would cease for one day. If she held it down
for two days, her discharge would cease for two days. If she held it
down for three days, her discharge would cease forever.
Don't be deceived. All
currently accepted medical practices have the possibility to be
exposed in future generations as less than perfect remedies.
Why did the woman have
faith?
- she had heard reports
of Jesus.
What were the two
components of her healing?
- her faith.
- power flowing from
Jesus.
Are both necessary?
Now that the social lower
crust has received healing, the story turns to the social upper
crust. Word comes from Jairus' house that his daughter is dead.
Mark 5:36 "...But
overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue,
“Do not fear, only believe...”
Luke 8:50 "...But
Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only
believe, and she will be well...”
What did they find at the
house?
- there were flute
players.
- there were people
weeping and wailing.
It was customary to hire
both flautists and wailing women to assist at funerals.
Matthew 9:24 "...he
said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.”
And they laughed at him..."
Mark 5:39 "...And
when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a
commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but
sleeping...”
Luke 8:52 "...And
all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep,
for she is not dead but sleeping...”
Why did they laugh at
Jesus?
What happened?
Mark 5:41 "...Taking
her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means,
“Little girl, I say to you, arise...”
Luke 8:54 "...But
taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child,
arise...”
Luke 8:55 "...And
her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And
he directed that something should be given her to eat..."
Where was her spirit?
We've now seen the
authority of Jesus over nature (wine, storm), over the spiritual
realm (demons), over sickness, and over death.
Two Blind Men
Matthew 9:28 “...Jesus
said to them, "Do you believe that I am
able to do this?..."
Matthew 9:29 ”...Then
He touched their eyes, saying, "According to your
faith be it done to you..."
Context:
- after raising the dead
girl, Jesus was followed by 2 blind men.
- they were crying out
“Have mercy on us, Son of David”.
- they followed Jesus
into the house.
Why were they healed?
1. They had faith that
Jesus was able to heal them.
2. They were touched by
Jesus.
How does one develop
faith?
- Romans 10:17 “...So
faith comes from hearing, and hearing through
the word of Christ...”
- the blind men believed
what they were hearing.
How does one get touched
by Jesus?
- by following Him.
- by walking with Him.
Matthew 9:30 “...And
their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them: "See that
no one knows about it..."
- Just as with the leper
He healed in 8:4, Jesus asked for silence.
Why would Jesus not want
the word spread?
- the message and
ministry of Jesus was far more than physical healing.
- people are easily
distracted by the spectacular.
Did the blind men obey?
- are we more excited
about the blessings than obedience?
- are we easily
distracted from the purposes of God?
Healing
the Paralytic
Context:
- Jesus was teaching.
- The Pharisees and
teachers of the law were sitting there.
- A paralytic, lying on a
bed, is brought to Jesus.
- The house was packed.
- Four men removed the
roof tiles and lowered the man to Jesus.
Matthew 9:2 “...Take
heart, my son; your sins are forgiven..."
Mark 2:5 “...Son,
your sins are forgiven..."
Luke 5:20 “...Man,
your sins are forgiven you..."
How did the Scribes and
Pharisees react to this statement?
- they accuse Jesus of
blasphemy.
- they believe He is
dishonoring God by claiming to have the right to forgive sins.
Is there a connection
between sin and sickness?
- Psalms 103:1-3
“...Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless
his holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his
benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who
heals all your diseases...”
- passage used by Rabbis
to explain the need for forgiveness before healing.
- the Jewish audience in
this passage would surmise that the paralysis was a consequence of
some sin.
- What would an American
audience surmise? Chance event?
Why would Jesus first
announce forgiveness rather than just healing the man?
Does Jesus know His
statement will create a stir?
1. This is a step beyond
God’s power working through Jesus.
2. Now people must
process Jesus claim to have God’s authority.
3. This passage marks the
beginning of opposition to Jesus.
Matthew 9:4-6 “...But
Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your
hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or
to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the
Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” - he
then said to the paralytic - “Rise, pick up your bed and go
home...”
Mark 2:8-11 “...And
immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned
within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things
in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your
sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’?
But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on
earth to forgive sins” - he said to the paralytic - “I
say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home...”
Luke 5:22-24 “...When
Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you
question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are
forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may
know that the Son of Man has authority on earth
to forgive sins” - he said to the man who was paralyzed - “I say
to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home...”
The man was forgiven and
healed.
The bystanders were
amazed, awed, and afraid and they glorified God.
Does Jesus have authority
which reaches beyond your theology and doctrine?
- the Old Testament
nation had sacrifices for the forgiveness of sin.
- the New Testament
church has the sacrificial lamb for forgiveness of sin.
- which was at work for
the paralytic?
Is there now a third
criteria for the healing process?
- have faith.
- touch or be touched by
Jesus.
- be forgiven.
Has our culture removed
any connection between sin and sickness?
Would there be sickness
if there was no sin in this world?
Is repentance part of the
healing process?
Did the paralytic repent?
[scripture doesn’t reveal these details]
Did the paralytic have
faith? [was it the friends who had faith?]
When Jesus speaks, all
theology and doctrine must bow before Him.
