(Read Mark 5:24-34)
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. The last message I shared with you before the messages about my retirement was about Jairus his little daughter. Peter was one of only three disciples in the room when Jesus raised her back to life. This morning we go back to address a miracle that happened on the way to Jairus’ house.
Jesus was coming from ministering a breakthrough (casting out a legion of demons in the land of Gad) and was headed to minister a breakthrough (bringing Jairus’ daughter back to life). Sandwiched between the two miracles was a woman who needed a breakthrough herself. The Bible tells us that she had an issue of blood for 12 years. Basically, her menstrual cycle had not stopped in 12 years. She was physically debilitated because of the loss of blood. She was psychologically distraught because the Jewish legal parameters of her condition made her a prisoner in her own body (see Lev 15:19-31). She was physically drained, emotionally scarred, and socially outcast. To make a bad situation worse, she spent all her money on doctors and did not get any better. The Bible says she kept getting worse. This woman was financially broke, physically bleeding, and psychologically spent. But somehow she mustered up the faith and courage to believe she could be healed by Jesus. She kept saying to herself, “If I could just touch His garments, I shall be made whole!” She did not just have faith in her lips, she had faith in her legs, and she attempted it. She broke through a crowd she was not supposed to be in, she made her way to get close enough to Jesus, and she stretched forth her hand hoping something supernatural would take place. When she did, when she touched Jesus, the bleeding stopped immediately!
The woman’s touch was so full of faith that she literally drew power from Jesus. Jesus immediately knew power had left his body and He asked, “Who touched my clothes?” The disciples were confused by the question because Jesus was being touched by many people in the crowd. But Jesus knew this touch was different. So right there, in the middle of the crowd, with Jairus at his side attempting to rush Him to his dying daughter, Jesus took the time to minister to the woman who touched Him. Jesus ministered to her and He made her whole. Her bleeded may have already stopped, but her pain was more than just physical. She had experienced very little social interaction over the previous 12 years and Jesus took the time to listen to her story. After listening to her, He spoke a Word of total healing over her and sent her on her way. I can only imagine what this display of compassion did for Simon Peter. He had a front row view of the life of the most amazing man to ever walk the planet. Events like this helped shape Peter’s own ministry.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
- Don’t be so busy going to church that you fail to BE the church. Jesus could have easily ignored the woman with the issue of blood on His way to Jairus home.
- Ask the Holy Spirit for the spiritual discernment to know what is important enough to stop for. Sometimes God will lead you to rearrange your busy schedule on the spot.
- As you head off into the day, be cognizant of the fact that there are people who need a kind word, soft shoulder, listening ear, or a simple prayer. If you feel a nudge in your inner man to offer any of these to someone today, please take the time to do so. God will be pleased and they will be touched!
- When you feel led of the Spirit to stop and talk to someone, don’t ignore it and rush off. Never underestimate the power of a few minutes well spent.
- When you read a story like the healing of the woman with the issue of blood it is easy to identify with the woman in the text. But Jesus wants you to graduate to the point where you identify with Him in the text. Be willing to slow down long enough to become like Jesus in the text – a conduit of God’s love and power in the earth. If you provide the channel, God will provide the power and He will change the world through you.
- Learn from everything. Peter learned from every experience He had with Jesus and we should do the same. The more we learn, the more our learning can turn into living.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. I am learning how to depend on You daily. I am learning to live by faith in order to tap into Your grace. I am learning to be led of the Spirit every day, in every way. Jesus did not live by a cold set of rules. Jesus did not simply read the Bible and then seek to apply it. Jesus was led of Your Spirit every day. The Holy Spirit gave Jesus the words to say and led Him in the work to do. Jesus was led to slow down long enough to talk to the woman with the issue of blood. He ministered to her in her time of need. He was on His way to do something else when He was stopped in His tracks by her faith and the Holy Spirit’s leading. I declare that I am just like Jesus. As Jesus is, so am I in this world. In order to be successful, I must learn to be led of Your Spirit daily. I declare that I am. You give me the words to say. You lead me concerning what to do. You nudge me and I listen. You speak to me and I open my mouth. You tell me to stop and I halt. You tell me to go and I run with it. I am willing to become Jesus to whomever You lead me to today Father. If someone needs a kind word, a soft shoulder, a listening ear, or a supernatural breakthrough, I have the willingness and You have the power. Together we shall change the world! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
