The Transfiguration that Keeps Us Looking Up!

Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white. And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen” (Luke 9:28-36).

Jesus made an extraordinary promise… “There are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:27). By the “kingdom of God” he meant the sight of the glory in which he will appear at his second coming as King of kings and Lord of lords… “Which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,  who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen” (1 Timothy 6:15-16). He will come in the glory of God the Father and not in a humble condition as He first came. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Luke gives truth seekers in every age a precious glimpse of the soon returning Lord we all long for. We are exhorted to keep our hearts and minds focused on Christ and we are encouraged to share His gospel in this dark world by the transfiguration that keeps us looking up!

Christ is the confirmation of our resurrection. When Jesus returns He will be different. He will forever bear the marks of the crucifixion…”Between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain” (Revelation 5:6). But He will also be glorified… “The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. (Revelation 1:14-15). These two characteristics of our eternal Savior are a reminder to keep looking to Christ, in whom we are overcomers in this temporal world and with whom we’re on our way to an everlasting and glorious victory… “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,  as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:17-18). Christ’s transfiguration confirms our glorious destiny!

Christ is the consummation of the law and the prophets. Moses represented the law and Elijah the prophets. They testify about Christ… “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me” (John 5:39). Christ’s transfiguration exhorts us to diligently search God’s Word because He is the consummation of the scriptures.

Christ is the coeternal Son with His Father. God’s visual and audible acknowledgement of Jesus as His Son and Messiah reveals that He is more than a teacher, prophet, or founder of a new religion. This is confirmation that Jesus is part of the Trinity, God incarnate, Savior and Lord forever… “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15). Christ’s transfiguration exhorts us to confess Him as coeternal Lord with God.

As we grow up into Christ we find encouragement to keep our focus on Him in…

The Transfiguration that Keeps Us Looking Up.

The Evidence of Maturing Discipleship

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:23-27).

Jesus did not call us to build churches. He said clearly that He would build His Church… “On this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:18). He gave us a very clear job. Jesus called us to make disciples… “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). Our Teacher, the Holy Spirit, presents great encouragement and insight in today’s text for those of us serious about becoming and making disciples. He inspired Luke to record Jesus’ teaching about the consequences of true discipleship. Jesus had just prophesied about His suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection. Now He challenged His disciples to take a deeper step of faith and follow His example. There is exhortation here for serious Christ followers in every age to examine themselves and to encourage one another to reflect the evidence of maturing discipleship.

The maturing disciple denies himself. Evidence of maturing discipleship is a growing understanding and appreciation of the great exchange that took place at the moment of our new birth… “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). We have not received a changed life, we have received a new life! The Spirit compelled Paul to exhort growing disciples to deny themselves by consistently putting the old life to death so we might experience the fullness of the new life in Christ… “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Maturing disciples have seen the Lord transform their hearts, replacing old selfish desires with hunger and anticipation of growing intimacy with Christ.

The maturing disciple takes up his cross. Evidence of maturing disciples is an increasing desire to know all of Christ. Young believers are hungry for the power of God to energize their ministry and witness… “And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all” (Acts 4:33). Maturing believers get to know the Lord better through suffering… “For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too” (2 Corinthians 1:5). The Spirit inspired Paul to exhort growing disciples to seek and share in both the power and the suffering of Christ… “That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10). Maturing disciples are willing to get close to the cross and share in Christ’s sufferings as we anticipate the resurrection.

The maturing disciple follows Christ. Evidence of maturing discipleship is a willingness to go where Christ would go. He gathered no personal possessions, achieved no earthly position, and attached himself to no particular place. He carried no baggage and let nothing keep him from the journey toward the cross. He was undeterred by prearranged agendas but He was sensitive and responsive to needs that arose around Him. Often as He journeyed from place to place Jesus was moved with compassion to change His plan and take a life-transforming detour… “Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. (Matthew 14:13-14). Maturing disciples are willing and eager to follow the Lord’s leading into deeper and more effective areas of ministry as we fulfill the Great Commission.

As we grow up into Christ His Word and His Spirit humble us and sharpen us to increasingly reflect…

The Evidence of Maturing Discipleship.

The Truth of the Gospel that Saves

Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised” (Luke 9:18-22).

The apostles returned from preaching the gospel and heling the sick. Great crowds followed them back into the company of Jesus. He welcomed them, taught them more about the kingdom of God, and healed their diseases. Finally, Jesus empowered His disciples to supernaturally feed the hungry crowd of more than five thousand. All of this left the crowd wondering aloud about who Jesus really was. Many speculated that He was John the Baptist, Elijah, or another prophet risen from the dead. Peter spoke for the disciples that were closest to Him, for those who had been anointed by Him with power to heal, deliver, and bless in His name. Peter was the first among many through the ages that would correctly identify Jesus as “The Christ of God.” But curiously, Jesus ordered that this proclamation be kept secret because it did not tell the whole truth of the gospel. Jesus did not want less than the whole gospel proclaimed before its fulfillment. Then He revealed to the disciples, and to earnest gospel witnesses in all ages, the truth of the gospel that saves

The true gospel is rejected by the religions of the day. People are created in God’s image with an inner awareness and longing to know Him… “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). This leaves us vulnerable to the corruption and deception of religious truth promoted in every age by Satan, our enemy… “And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him” (Revelation 12:9). That’s why the gospel is set apart from the works-righteousness of other religions by the unique truth that in Christ God does the saving work for sinners. Jesus’ warning that His gospel will be rejected by the world but received by the repentant is echoed by the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul… “For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).

The true gospel is revealed in the reviling of Christ. The crowds were enamored by the power of Jesus’ teaching and miracles. But it would take more to save their souls. Their reaction to Christ’s suffering would be very different… “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him. For he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” (Matthew 27:42-43). But there were other responses among the witnesses to Christ’s suffering and crucifixion. Those whose spirits were quickened with a hunger for truth, like the centurion and the small crowd with him were granted a revelation of who Jesus really was… “When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe and said, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!’” (Matthew 27:54).

The true gospel is realized in the resurrection of Christ. The crowds were impressed by the authority and power of Jesus’ words and ministry, and they might be moved by His willingness to suffer and die for His kingdom message, but real faith would only come when He demonstrated victory over the crippling and deadly consequences of sin through His resurrection. The resurrection confirms Christ’s divinity… “For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption” (Acts 2:27). And the resurrection confirms true believers’ ultimate victory over sin and death… “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20).

As we grow up into Christ effective witnesses are blessed by and careful to share…

The Truth of the Gospel that Saves.

The Power of the Effective Local Church

On their return the apostles told him all that they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida. When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing. Now the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.” But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” And they did so, and had them all sit down. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces (Luke 9:10-17).

Jesus had previously empowered and sent twelve of His disciples to introduce the kingdom of God to the world through itinerant ministry in the towns and villages of Galilee… “He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal” (Luke 9:1-2). Jesus was beginning His work of building the Church… “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18). He was going to lay the foundation of His Church on the ministry of these sent disciples who are now called apostles… “The household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:19-20). The apostles’ ministry was profound and effective. There were great crowds and reports even reached the ears of Herod, the local ruler. When the apostles returned to Jesus they brought the crowds with them. Jesus Christ was the central character in the apostles’ kingdom preaching and He was the source of the apostles’ kingdom miracles. When the hungry crowds came to Him, Jesus gave His apostles one more power. He enabled them to miraculously feed the crowd of more than five thousand with “five loaves and two fish”. These first disciples, and truth-seeking disciples in every age, are exhorted here to preach, heal, and care in the name of Jesus Christ because He is the Power of the effective local church.

The effective local church preaches and teaches the gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus spoke to the crowd of His kingdom. He showed disciples in every age that our message is to be nothing more or less than the gospel of the kingdom of God… “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14).

The effective local church heals in the name of Jesus Christ. Jesus healed the sick in the crowd. He promised the same healing power to disciples in every age as a confirmation of His gospel… “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation… And these signs will accompany those who believe… in my name… they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:15-18).

The effective local church feeds and shelters the needy in the name of Jesus Christ. As Jesus met the food and shelter needs of the crowd, He initiated a regular, ongoing miracle for the local church to imitate. As we tithe and give cheerfully to the ministry of our local church, Jesus blesses and multiplies our gifts to meet the needs of our local fellowship… “And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need” (Acts 2:44-45). And Jesus empowers the generous local church to impact the community beyond our fellowship… “He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God” (2 Corinthians 9:10-12).

As we grow up into Christ He empowers the ministries of our local church because He is…

The Power of the Effective Local Church.

The Power that Perplexes the Heart

Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see him (Luke 9:7-9).

When the disciples obeyed Jesus and began their preaching and healing ministry in the towns and villages of Galilee the results were immediate. As they faithfully went “through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere” (Luke 9:6), the power and authority Jesus had bestowed upon them was released and news of their ministry spread quickly. When the reports reached the ears of Herod the tetrarch His heart was perplexed. Serious disciples who imitate these first disciples should expect nothing less than the same gospel-confirming power as we are faithful to obey the command to make disciples of all the nations. The anointing that produced miraculous results in the ministry of the first disciples produces the same results today because it’s source is the very presence of Christ … “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). But earnest disciples should also remember that the power that produces miracles is also the power that perplexes the heart.

The power that perplexes the world is perpetual. It cannot be defeated by anything in the world. The early church was built on the blood of thousands of martyrs who were put to death in an effort to put an end to this radical movement. Herod had beheaded John the Baptist but now learned that he was not the real source of this growing movement. Some say the kind of power experienced in the early church is no longer operative today. But this begs the question, does Jesus love the world any less today? Jesus gave power to the disciples to share the gospel with the whole world, and our commission is not yet fulfilled… “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). He promises His power will be available to us as long as we stay close to Him… “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

The power that perplexes the world is prophetic. It comes attached to a divine message. There were many traveling rabbis in Jesus’ day, spreading various religious and political messages. But the message preached by the disciples was a heart-penetrating Word from God. The miracles were a physical confirmation of the spiritual power that accompanied God’s Word. Both the miracles and the message caught Herod’s attention and convicted his heart. When we faithfully preach the gospel today we should expect the same physical and spiritual work in the perplexed hearts of our listeners… “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” (Hebrews 4:12).

The power that perplexes the world is provocative. It pricks the heart and either pulls people toward or pushes people away from Jesus Christ. The disciples had been so close to Jesus that His power and authority filled their lives and erupted in their ministry. Every word they spoke and every touch they made was a reflection of the power and presence of Jesus Christ. Herod sensed this this and he was provoked because he thought he had put an end to this troublesome disturbance when he beheaded John. But as the power spread Herod was prompted to find out more about the source. When we are faithful to let our ministry and witness flow out of a close personal walk with Christ, His powerful light will fill us and shine into the lives of others and He will get the kind of glory that provokes hearts… “Everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God” (John 3:20-21).

As we grow up into Christ we become more effective in sharing His gospel as we learn to expect…

The Power that Perplexes the Heart.

The Power that is More than Enough

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere (Luke 9:1-6).

Great teachers do so much more than simply communicate content to their students. Great teachers are living examples of the philosophy as well as the content they teach. Their goal is to help their students learn to reason correctly so they can become successful life-long learners. Jesus Christ was the penultimate teacher. He infused the hearts and minds of His disciples with truth. He used parables and included living visual aids as He lived and traveled with His disciples. His goal was that His disciples would embrace and apply the never-changing truth He came to reveal… “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). True disciples that diligently seek and share Christ’s truth become vivid reflections of their Teacher to the rest of the world… “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40). This was Jesus’ plan when He sent the twelve closest disciples into the nearby villages to “proclaim the kingdom of God”. He wanted the world to see and the disciples to experience the wonderful way He would accomplish His kingdom-revealing and building work through earnest disciples in every age until He returns. So He gave them everything they would need to depend upon Him for success in the mission, especially the power that is more than enough.

Jesus gives diligent disciples power to do miracles. Giving the twelve power over demons and diseases was a foretaste of the moment when Christ would bestow gospel-confirming power on disciples to preach His gospel in every age and place around the world… “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:15-18). True disciples trust Christ’s power to deliver and heal as He confirms His gospel.

Jesus gives productive disciples power to preach the gospel. The disciples were not the only traveling preachers and teachers of the day. There were many competing rabbis with their various schools of disciples. But the power and authority of the gospel, when it is preached in it purity, without corruption, is heart and life transforming. The Spirit inspired the Apostle Paul to add confirmation to the veracity of the power of the gospel… “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). True disciples trust Christ’s power to convict hearts and save souls as they faithfully preach His gospel.

Jesus gives maturing disciples power to grow in faith. The twelve were not to become dependent on anything other than Christ. They would learn to trust that Christ would establish their agenda, direct their course, and lead them to others whom He would prompt to support and encourage them along the way. Taking nothing would force them to pray and trust that Christ would supply their every need. The Apostle Paul learned and declared this encouraging truth in His epistle to the Philippians… “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). Disciples who trust Him alone to direct and provide for their personal and ministry needs have a growing faith that gives increasing glory to Christ… “The tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7). True disciples trust Christ’s provision as they diligently share His gospel.

As we grow up into Christ we become more effective in sharing His gospel as we learn to trust…

The Power that is More than Enough.

The Faith that Defeats Death

While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened (Luke 8:49-56).

Before His lesson about the kind of faith that makes us well was concluded, Jesus was interrupted by a terrible report of the death of Jairus’ daughter. The crowd’s natural response was to believe the negative report and urge Jairus to stop harassing Jesus. But Jesus responded with a command for both Jairus and the crowd… “Do not fear”. When they arrived at Jairus’ home they were met by a full funeral service in progress with mourners confirming that his daughter was dead. Jesus issued His second command… “Do not weep”. The crowd’s laughter also confirmed the girl’s death. With a touch and a call the dead girl’s spirit returned and she was alive again… “Child arise”. Today, as we discover the truth behind three of Jesus’ commands, we are exhorted to grow in the faith that defeats death.

Jesus says do not fear. One of life’s most immobilizing fears is the fear of death. Some live in constant fear of dying while others believe each day is a step closer to glory. Some wish they could live forever while others look forward to real life beyond this physical world. What we believe about life’s beginning, end, and purpose makes all the difference in our attitude toward death. Jesus said we should not fear physical death. He echoed this truth elsewhere… “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul” (Matthew 10:28). With these words Jesus implied that death is not the final end of life, that there is life after death. The Spirit affirms this truth through the writer of the epistle to the Hebrews… “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Jesus wants His disciples to replace fear of death with faith that this temporal life is preparation for eternal life.

Jesus says do not weep. He wants us to know death is a transition between temporal and eternal life. With His second command Jesus added the words “she is not dead but sleeping”. He described the step between temporal and eternal life as sleeping. We do not know how long the period of sleeping is, but scripture reveals that it is short in duration. Jesus told the believing thief on the cross that he would join Him in Paradise on the very day of his death… “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). The Spirit inspired Paul to encourage us with the truth that passing into glory is an almost instantaneous event… “Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). The Spirit teaches that it is only the body that sleeps in the ground… “The dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7). The Spirit inspired words “her spirit returned” encourage disciples to replace weeping with joyful faith that our born again spirit is always in the sovereign, caring hands of the Lord.

Jesus says child, arise. If it’s true that Jesus Christ is the ultimate caretaker of our lives, spirit, soul, and body, then death is a part of His sovereign plan to usher us into the glory of eternal life. Just as the spirit of Jairus’ daughter obeyed His command to return to her earthly body, all who believe Jesus’ words are promised eternal life… “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life” (John 5:24). The Spirit affirms the truth that Jesus accompanies us through death and into eternal life like a good shepherd in David’s famous Psalm… “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). Jesus wants growing disciples to replace fear of death with faith in His promise of eternal life.

As we grow up into Christ we look beyond this temporary life and death as we mature in…

The Faith that Defeats Death.

The Faith that Makes Us Well

As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. 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.” And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace” (Luke 8:42b-48).

On His way to the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler that desperately sought His healing touch for his dying daughter, someone else touched Jesus. The all-knowing Word of God paused and asked “Who was it that touched me?” He was creating another teaching moment that would compel the crowd of followers to come closer and challenge His disciples to grow in understanding. This lesson was about faith. It was about the kind of effectual faith that gets results. Jesus wants true disciples to know that there is faith that can heal the hurting, restore the ruined, emancipate the enslaved, and even save the sinner. It is a special kind of faith. Today truth seekers are reminded that effectual, productive faith is centered in Christ, and it is the faith that makes us well.

Potent faith is desperate to touch Jesus’ garment. Faith is a channel or vehicle that connects us with something or someone. We all trust in things and people every day. We trust the car to get us to work, the company to give us a paycheck, the spouse to be there when we get home, and so much more. We are connected to the things and people we trust. But the Word of God became flesh to invite us to behold and trust the Creator and Father that made us to be connected with Him… “To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). The woman’s desperation drove her to touch Jesus because everything and everyone else had let her down. Growing disciples learn to let their times of desperation drive them to touch Jesus, and when we do, He never lets us down… “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

Powerful faith is driven to trust Jesus’ gift. Faith is a channel or vehicle that connects us with the object or result we seek. Desperation drives us to something or someone we hope will meet our need. The desperate woman had no certainty of the healing she sought, but that did not prevent her from approaching Jesus. Maturing disciples learn to seek and trust God’s best answer to our prayers when desperation drives us to Christ because the seeking helps us know how much He loves us and wants to give us His best… “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7).

Productive faith is delighted to tell of Jesus’ goodness. Faith is a channel or vehicle that empowers us to be an effective witness to the world around us. When our desperation is relieved by a touch from Jesus, an opportunity is created for Him to receive glory. We exist for God’s pleasure and to give Him glory… “From him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever” (Romans 11:36). Jesus interrupted His journey toward meeting Jairus’ desperate need in order to give God glory for another miracle. Earnest disciples learn to celebrate and share the precious and powerful testimonies of Jesus touching their lives and answering their prayers because we are eager to see God get glory and Jesus lifted up in the midst of this very needy world… “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:32

As we grow up into Christ we learn to let our desperate need drive us to Him as we grow in…

The Faith that Makes Us Well.