Faith's Journey: Reaching for Healing in Christ
Summary
In today's reflection, we explored the profound story of a woman from the Gospels who suffered from a debilitating condition for 12 years. Unlike the man from last week's story who had friends to bring him to Jesus, this woman had to find her own way to Him. Her story is a powerful reminder of the lengths we must sometimes go to in order to reach Jesus ourselves. This woman, despite her isolation and suffering, reached out in faith to touch Jesus' robe, believing that even the slightest contact would heal her. Her faith was rewarded, and Jesus acknowledged her with the tender word "daughter," a term of deep affection and acceptance. This encounter teaches us that Jesus sees beyond our physical ailments and addresses the deeper wounds of our souls.
The story challenges us to look beyond the surface of our own lives and recognize the hidden wounds that may be causing us dis-ease. Just as the woman was healed by her faith and her determination to reach Jesus, we too must be willing to push through the obstacles in our lives to find healing. This requires a deep desire to be well, not just a passive wish for change. It involves actively seeking Jesus, acknowledging our wounds, and allowing Him to heal us from the inside out.
Moreover, the story emphasizes the importance of going deeper into God's word to uncover the truths He wants us to see. It's not enough to skim the headlines of our lives; we must delve into the depths to understand the full story. This deeper understanding allows us to see ourselves as God sees us—His beloved children, worthy of love and healing. As we embrace this identity, we are called to draw near to God, trusting in His love and His plan for our lives.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith and Determination: The woman's healing was a result of her faith and determination to reach Jesus. Her story reminds us that true healing requires an active pursuit of Jesus, not just a passive wish for change. We must be willing to push through the obstacles in our lives to find healing. [49:08]
- Beyond the Headlines: To truly understand God's work in our lives, we must look beyond the surface and delve deeper into His word. This deeper understanding allows us to see the hidden wounds in our souls and seek the healing that only God can provide. [50:16]
- Identity in Christ: Jesus' use of the term "daughter" for the woman highlights the intimate relationship He desires with each of us. We are not defined by our past or our wounds but by our identity as beloved children of God. Embracing this identity is key to experiencing true healing and wholeness. [01:04:23]
- God's First Move: God has already made the first move towards us through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Our response is to open our hearts to Him, acknowledging our need for His healing and love. This requires a willingness to see and address the wounds in our souls. [01:11:39]
- Drawing Near to God: The promise of James that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us, is a powerful reminder of the relational nature of our faith. Through prayer and reading the Bible, we can experience the closeness and healing that God desires for us. [01:13:03]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[47:23] - Introduction to the Woman's Story
[49:08] - The Power of Faith
[50:16] - Beyond the Headlines
[51:37] - Understanding Her Suffering
[52:47] - The Isolation of the Afflicted
[54:05] - The Bleeding Soul
[54:55] - Reflecting on Our Own Stories
[56:11] - The Soundtrack of Our Lives
[58:07] - Hidden Wounds
[59:38] - Acknowledging Our Need
[01:01:46] - The Courage to Pray
[01:02:50] - Jesus' Intimate Response
[01:04:23] - Our Identity in Christ
[01:05:24] - God's Deep Care for Us
[01:06:48] - Embracing Our New Identity
[01:09:28] - The Desire to Be Well
[01:10:39] - Making the Next Move
[01:11:39] - God's First Move
[01:13:03] - Drawing Near to God
[01:14:24] - Pushing Through the Crowd
[01:17:08] - True Faith and Trust
[01:19:07] - The Secret to Coming Close
[01:20:48] - Communion and Remembrance
[01:23:24] - Remembering His Sacrifice
[01:25:12] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Mark 5:24-34
- Psalm 139:1-4
- James 4:8
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the woman's condition, and how long had she been suffering from it? How did she approach Jesus in the crowd? [47:23]
2. How did Jesus respond to the woman after she touched his robe, and what specific word did he use to address her? [49:08]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of looking beyond the "headlines" of our lives to understand deeper truths? [50:16]
4. How does the sermon describe the woman's social and emotional state due to her condition? [52:47]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the term "daughter" signify in the context of Jesus' interaction with the woman, and why is it significant that this is the only instance in the Gospels where Jesus uses this term? [01:04:23]
2. How does the sermon illustrate the difference between wishing for healing and actively wanting it? What implications does this have for one's spiritual journey? [01:09:28]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that hidden wounds or "bleeding souls" can manifest in our lives, and how can we become aware of them? [54:55]
4. How does the sermon explain the concept of God making the "first move" towards us, and what is our role in responding to this? [01:11:39]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt isolated or alone in your struggles. How did you seek help, and what can you learn from the woman's determination to reach Jesus? [47:23]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of going deeper into God's word. What practical steps can you take this week to delve deeper into Scripture and uncover the truths God wants you to see? [50:16]
3. Consider the "soundtrack" playing in the background of your life. What negative messages or beliefs might be affecting your self-perception, and how can you replace them with the truth of your identity in Christ? [56:11]
4. The sermon challenges us to acknowledge our hidden wounds. What steps can you take to identify and address these wounds in your life, and how can you invite Jesus into this healing process? [54:55]
5. How can you actively draw near to God this week, especially in moments of doubt or fear? What specific practices, such as prayer or Bible reading, can help you experience His closeness and healing? [01:13:03]
6. Reflect on the obstacles or "crowds" in your life that may be hindering your relationship with Jesus. What are these obstacles, and how can you push through them to reach Him? [01:14:24]
7. The sermon speaks about the relational nature of faith. How can you cultivate a more intimate relationship with God, and what role does community play in this journey? [01:19:07]
Devotional
Day 1: Faith in Action
The story of the woman who suffered for 12 years is a testament to the power of faith and determination. Despite her isolation and the obstacles she faced, she believed that even the slightest touch of Jesus' robe would heal her. Her faith was not passive; it was active and persistent. This narrative challenges us to examine our own lives and consider the lengths we are willing to go to reach Jesus. True healing requires more than just a wish for change; it demands an active pursuit of Jesus, pushing through the barriers that stand in our way. [49:08]
Mark 5:25-28 (ESV): "And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, 'If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.'"
Reflection: What is one obstacle in your life that you need to push through to actively pursue Jesus today?
Day 2: Delving Deeper
To truly understand God's work in our lives, we must look beyond the surface and delve deeper into His word. The woman's story encourages us to recognize the hidden wounds within us that may be causing dis-ease. By seeking a deeper understanding of God's word, we can uncover the truths He wants us to see and find the healing that only He can provide. This requires intentionality and a willingness to go beyond the headlines of our lives to understand the full story. [50:16]
Hebrews 4:12 (ESV): "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."
Reflection: What is one hidden wound in your life that you can bring to God in prayer and seek His healing today?
Day 3: Embracing Our Identity
Jesus' use of the term "daughter" for the woman highlights the intimate relationship He desires with each of us. We are not defined by our past or our wounds but by our identity as beloved children of God. Embracing this identity is key to experiencing true healing and wholeness. When we see ourselves as God sees us, we can begin to live in the fullness of His love and grace. This identity in Christ empowers us to overcome the challenges we face and to live as His beloved children. [01:04:23]
1 John 3:1 (ESV): "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him."
Reflection: How can you embrace your identity as a beloved child of God today, and what difference would it make in your life?
Day 4: Responding to God's First Move
God has already made the first move towards us through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Our response is to open our hearts to Him, acknowledging our need for His healing and love. This requires a willingness to see and address the wounds in our souls. By responding to God's initiative, we can experience the transformative power of His love and grace in our lives. It is an invitation to enter into a deeper relationship with Him, trusting in His plan and purpose for us. [01:11:39]
Romans 5:8 (ESV): "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to respond to God's love and open your heart to His healing today?
Day 5: Drawing Near to God
The promise of James that if we draw near to God, He will draw near to us, is a powerful reminder of the relational nature of our faith. Through prayer and reading the Bible, we can experience the closeness and healing that God desires for us. This relationship is not one-sided; it is a mutual drawing near, where we seek God and He responds with His presence and love. As we draw near to Him, we can find the strength and courage to face the challenges of life, knowing that He is with us. [01:13:03]
James 4:8 (ESV): "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
Reflection: How can you intentionally draw near to God today, and what steps can you take to cultivate a deeper relationship with Him?
Quotes
1. "What are we willing to do to get ourselves to Jesus? So there's three accounts of this woman's story found in the Gospels. It's in Matthew, it's in Mark, and it's also in Luke. And each one of those. They just, different ones provide different details, and I couldn't decide on which ones, so I decided to do a little combination. I took the details of all three of them and combined them together to give us a full account of what happened that day in the crowd when this woman's life was forever changed." [47:23] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Matter of fact, what we've got to do is we've got to go deeper. You know, I've heard it said that to get to the good water, you don't widen the well, do you? You go deeper down into the well. And it says we go deeper into God's word, that that's where we get the deeper, meaning that he has for us. That's where we get the insight. We get the inspiration. We get the wisdom. And folks, we get the healing power of his word in our lives. It's as we go deeper." [50:16] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "This woman wasn't just living with a disease. She was living constantly in a state of dis -ease. Her disease caused dis -ease. She had so many hopes for her life. I can only imagine, you know, marriage, family life, children and all, life in the community, friends. But now, she has nothing but hopelessness. It wasn't just her body that was bleeding. It was her soul that was bleeding as well. That's the story behind the headline." [54:05] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God can't heal what we don't see and acknowledge as a problem. That's why he wants us to go deeper into his word, to see and understand our own story through this woman's story, so that her story can give you and I the courage to pray as King David prayed in the Psalms. Lord, you know everything there is to know about me. You perceive every movement of my heart and soul. You are so intimately aware of me, Lord. You read my heart like an open book." [01:01:46] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Daughter. Do you know that there is no other account in the Gospels where Jesus uses this most intimate term of endearment, daughter? You won't find it anywhere else. This is the only place where he calls this woman daughter. The late Tim Keller, he's a great pastor and author, and he says that we should probably read this term of endearment to this woman more like, sweetheart. Sweetheart. The woman no one wanted to touch was now being tenderly embraced in the arms of the creator of the universe with that simple word." [01:04:23] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "You matter to him. You matter to him. Just as he stopped and turned to her that day in the midst of this crowd right now, he's turning to you today to say, I see you. I see you, and I know you. And I know you. And I know all about your pain and your heartache. I know it. And I've been keeping track of every single one of your tears because you matter to me, he's saying. You matter to me." [01:05:24] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "We got to want to get well. We've got to want to. You see, this woman didn't just wish she could get well. She desperately wanted to get well, and there's a really big difference between wishing and wanting. You see, when we simply just wish to get well, then we are just waiting for something out here to come along and fix the problem. You know, we see ourselves as victims. We cast blame wherever we can, and then we just wallow in our pain and our self -pity as we wait on something to happen to us or something to happen for us." [01:09:28] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "He announced, I love you so much that I will die for you so that you can be forgiven, so that you can be freed, so that you can be healed, so that you can be made whole again. I died so that you can live. He has made the first move, so the next move now is ours. There's a well -known book, it's been around for eons, called Boundaries by Henry Cloud. And in it, he says this, he says, God has no interest in violating our boundaries so that he can relate to us. He understands that this would cause injuries of trust. It is our responsibility to open up to him in need." [01:11:39] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Pray and read your Bible. And see, the sad thing is that the whole idea some people have of this pray and read your Bible, it's like it's a routine that we got to check off. It's spiritual. It's a spiritual point. It's the points that you get when you pray and read your Bible. Just God's keeping score, and you score points. And now, it's how we come close. It's how we draw near to our God. These are relational exercises, relational experiences with our God." [01:19:07] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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