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.