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.