Faith's Bold Reach: Encountering Christ's Compassion
Summary
In our journey through the series of encounters with Jesus, we delve into the transformative power of faith through the story of the woman with the issue of blood. Each of us has a unique conversion story, a moment when we knew we had encountered Christ. For some, it was dramatic; for others, it was a quiet decision. Regardless of how it happened, it was the Holy Spirit who initiated this process. Today, we reflect on the woman who, after 12 years of suffering and being ostracized, reached out to Jesus in desperation and faith. Her story is a testament to the power of faith and the compassion of Christ.
This woman, considered unclean by Levitical law, was isolated from society. Her condition made her an outcast, unable to participate in community life or even be with her family. Despite her suffering and the failed attempts of doctors to heal her, she took a bold step of faith. She believed that merely touching the hem of Jesus' garment would heal her. This act of faith, though based on a misconception, was honored by Jesus. He did not require her to follow a set of religious rules or prove her worthiness. Instead, He acknowledged her faith and healed her, demonstrating that His love and power transcend societal norms and religious expectations.
The story challenges us to examine our own faith. Are we merely brushing against Jesus, or are we reaching out to Him in true faith? The woman’s desperation led her to take a risk, and her faith was rewarded. Similarly, we are called to reach out to Jesus in the areas of our lives where we need His touch. Whether it’s a long-standing issue or a new challenge, Jesus invites us to come to Him with our burdens. He is not limited by our misconceptions or our past; His grace is sufficient for all.
Key Takeaways:
- Unique Encounters with Christ: Each person's journey to faith is unique, whether dramatic or quiet. The Holy Spirit initiates this process, drawing us to Christ in ways that are personal and transformative. Our stories, like the woman’s, are testimonies of God’s grace and power. [00:51]
- Faith Beyond Misconceptions: The woman’s belief that touching Jesus’ garment would heal her was based on a misconception, yet her faith was honored. This teaches us that even when our understanding is flawed, genuine faith in Christ can lead to transformation and healing. [10:18]
- Desperation and Risk in Faith: The woman’s desperation drove her to take a significant risk, defying societal norms to reach Jesus. Her story encourages us to examine how desperate we are for God’s intervention and to take bold steps of faith, trusting in His power and love. [15:45]
- Jesus’ Compassionate Response: Jesus’ response to the woman shows His compassion and willingness to meet us where we are. He does not require us to meet certain criteria before He acts; rather, He honors our faith and meets our needs in His perfect way. [25:20]
- Faith in Action: We are called to actively reach out to Jesus in faith, not just passively brush against Him. This involves trusting Him with our deepest needs and believing that He can and will work in our lives, even when the outcome is different from what we expect. [30:09]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:51] - Unique Conversion Stories
[01:46] - Encounter with the Fishermen
[03:16] - The Woman with the Blood Flow
[03:57] - The Power of Touching Jesus
[04:41] - The Interrupted Miracle
[05:51] - The Cost of Desperation
[06:34] - The Isolation of the Unclean
[08:28] - Misguided Healing Knowledge
[10:18] - Misconceptions About God
[12:33] - Jesus’ Compassionate Response
[15:45] - The Risk of Faith
[17:55] - The Reality of Healing
[20:06] - The Shortness of Life
[25:20] - Jesus’ Unique Approach
[30:09] - Reaching Out in Faith
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Mark 5:25-34
Observation Questions:
1. What was the woman's condition, and how long had she been suffering from it? [03:16]
2. How did the woman approach Jesus, and what was her belief about touching His garment? [03:57]
3. What was Jesus' reaction when He realized someone had touched Him, and how did the disciples respond? [13:28]
4. How did Jesus address the woman after she revealed herself, and what did He say about her faith? [12:33]
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the woman's story reveal about the nature of faith, even when it is based on misconceptions? [10:18]
2. How does Jesus' response to the woman challenge societal and religious norms of the time? [25:20]
3. In what ways does the story illustrate the concept of desperation and risk in faith? [15:45]
4. How does the woman's healing demonstrate Jesus' compassion and willingness to meet people where they are? [26:13]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own journey to faith. Was it dramatic or quiet? How has the Holy Spirit initiated this process in your life? [01:46]
2. Are there areas in your life where you feel like an outcast or isolated? How can you reach out to Jesus in faith for healing and restoration? [05:51]
3. Consider a misconception you might have about God. How can you seek a deeper understanding of His character and love? [11:37]
4. What risks are you willing to take in your faith journey to experience God's intervention in your life? [15:45]
5. How can you actively reach out to Jesus in faith, rather than just brushing against Him? What steps can you take this week to deepen your relationship with Him? [14:58]
6. In what ways can you demonstrate Jesus' compassion to others who feel marginalized or outcast in your community? [26:13]
7. Identify a long-standing issue or challenge in your life. How can you bring it to Jesus with the expectation of His touch and transformation? [30:09]
Devotional
Day 1: Unique Journeys to Faith
Each person's journey to faith is distinct, shaped by personal experiences and the Holy Spirit's guidance. Some may have dramatic conversion stories, while others experience a quiet, gradual awakening to Christ's presence in their lives. Regardless of the nature of the encounter, it is the Holy Spirit who initiates and nurtures this process, drawing individuals to Christ in deeply personal and transformative ways. The story of the woman with the issue of blood serves as a powerful testament to this truth. Her encounter with Jesus was marked by desperation and faith, leading to a profound transformation that changed her life forever. Her story reminds us that our own journeys, no matter how unique, are testimonies of God's grace and power. [00:51]
"For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit." (Titus 3:3-5, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your own journey to faith. How has the Holy Spirit uniquely drawn you to Christ, and how can you share your story as a testimony of God's grace with someone this week?
Day 2: Faith Beyond Misconceptions
The woman with the issue of blood believed that merely touching Jesus' garment would heal her, a belief rooted in a misconception. Yet, her faith was honored by Jesus, demonstrating that even when our understanding is flawed, genuine faith in Christ can lead to transformation and healing. This story challenges us to examine our own beliefs and misconceptions about God. It encourages us to trust in His power and love, even when our understanding is incomplete. Jesus' response to the woman's faith shows that He is not limited by our misconceptions or our past; His grace is sufficient for all who reach out to Him in faith. [10:18]
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible." (Hebrews 11:1-3, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a misconception you may have about God or His ways. How can you bring this to Jesus in faith, trusting Him to reveal His truth and transform your understanding?
Day 3: Desperation and Risk in Faith
The woman's desperation drove her to take a significant risk, defying societal norms to reach Jesus. Her story encourages us to examine how desperate we are for God's intervention in our lives and to take bold steps of faith, trusting in His power and love. In moments of desperation, we are often more willing to step out of our comfort zones and seek Jesus with all our hearts. This story challenges us to consider the areas of our lives where we need to take risks in faith, trusting that Jesus will meet us in our need and provide the healing and transformation we seek. [15:45]
"And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 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. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, 'If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.'" (Mark 5:25-28, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you feel desperate for change or healing. What bold step of faith can you take today to reach out to Jesus and trust Him with this need?
Day 4: Jesus’ Compassionate Response
Jesus' response to the woman with the issue of blood shows His compassion and willingness to meet us where we are. He does not require us to meet certain criteria before He acts; rather, He honors our faith and meets our needs in His perfect way. This story is a powerful reminder of Jesus' love and compassion for all who come to Him in faith. It encourages us to approach Him with confidence, knowing that He is ready and willing to respond to our needs with grace and mercy. Jesus' compassionate response to the woman challenges us to trust in His goodness and to bring our burdens to Him, confident that He will meet us with love and understanding. [25:20]
"The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made." (Psalm 145:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a burden or need you have been hesitant to bring to Jesus. How can you approach Him today with confidence, trusting in His compassionate response to your faith?
Day 5: Faith in Action
We are called to actively reach out to Jesus in faith, not just passively brush against Him. This involves trusting Him with our deepest needs and believing that He can and will work in our lives, even when the outcome is different from what we expect. The story of the woman with the issue of blood challenges us to examine the depth of our faith and to take intentional steps to seek Jesus in every area of our lives. It encourages us to trust in His power and love, knowing that He is able to bring about transformation and healing in ways we may not anticipate. [30:09]
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you have been passively waiting for change. What specific action can you take today to actively reach out to Jesus in faith, trusting Him to work in this area?
Quotes
1. "We are in the second part of a six-week series of encounters with Jesus, and we are seeing six characters in the New Testament that had an encounter with the Lord. Let me ask you this right off the bat. How was your conversion? When was the day that you knew that you came to having faith in Christ? If I were to ask each and every one of you personally, it would probably be different, wouldn't it?" ([00:00:05] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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2. "And I remember the church that I grew up in, we had testimony Sunday. Every Sunday evening was testimony, and people would come to the front and they would give these testimonies. I was in a drug house. I was doing drugs 24-7. The Lord encountered me. There I left the place and came to church. Others would be in the nightclub in the middle of a dance floor." ([00:00:41] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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3. "As we just sang, I don't know how the Spirit works, right? I don't know how salvation works. I don't know. But the Holy Spirit is the one who initiates this process. And today we're looking on the second character. Last week we saw on the fishermen, right? The Peter, John, Andrew, and James, they were just minding their own business, working for their dad, fishing away. Jesus comes, says, drop everything. They dropped everything, and they followed him." ([00:01:46] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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4. "Today we will see encounters with Jesus, and this is the woman with the blood flow. Now, if you read your Bible, if you read the New Testament, this is found. In Mark, Matthew, and Luke as well, they all share the same story. And this is a woman. This is called the sandwich miracle." ([00:02:23] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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5. "And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for 12 years. 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. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. Because, she thought, if I just touch his clothes, I will be healed." ([00:03:16] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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6. "Immediately, her bleeding stopped, and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. And once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him, he turned around in the crowd and asked, Who touched my clothes? You see the people crowding against you, his disciples answered. And you can ask, Who touched me?" ([00:03:46] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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7. "What I like about this passage and relates to many of us who haven't known Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior for many, many years, is that how many times you and I could be elbow to elbow with Jesus, touching him and not being healed. How many times you and I can be walking alongside Jesus for years and years and years, and we, because we're so intellectual and we're so smart, we don't reach out and touch him in faith." ([00:14:20] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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8. "And what does Jesus do? He interrupts that mission to reach out to an outcast, to a woman who could not be in the middle of the crowd. Remember, women were considered property back then. And she was sick. She was diseased. This woman had no value. Before society. But Jesus stops everything. And he singles her out." ([00:25:36] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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9. "You're important to God. I have never read the Bible. You're important. I don't know how to pray. You're important. I don't have finances to support anyone or any organization or nothing. Jesus loves you. And he will stop everything to reach out to you. When you reach out. Have faith to him. He will heal you." ([00:26:33] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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10. "Christianity is the only religion where it doesn't matter who you are, your nationality, your background, your ethnical race, your beliefs, your identity, your intelligence, your wealth. It matters nothing. That is the Jesus that we serve. So Jesus stops everything, singles out this woman and says, your faith, even though it was misguided, even though it was something that she thought up herself, she was blessed. She was blessed and healed by Jesus." ([00:27:31] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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