Untitled Sermon (10)

Desperate Faith: The Touch That Heals

Bible Passage: Lk 8:40-48

Luke 8:40–48 KJV 1900

And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him. And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus’ feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him. And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

Purpose: To let the believer know that desperation situations call for a desperate faith in Christ no matter the obstacles that may be in front of them.

Recommended Study: I recommend exploring the cultural context of first-century Jewish social and health issues using your Logos library. Delve into commentaries that discuss the significance of the woman's condition and her interaction with the crowd. Additionally, consider studying the thematic connections between faith and healing throughout Luke's gospel, observing how this passage fits into the larger narrative of Jesus' ministry.

1. Desperation Drives Us

Lk 8:40-42

Two desperate situations occured in this passage of Scripture. Jairus was the ruler of the synagogue and had a need for Jesus to heal his daughter who was very sick.

He was in a position of religious authority; the same authority that was questioning Jesus’ activity. In chapter 7, he healed a Roman centurion’s son (he helped his enemies), he raised a woman’s son from the dead on the way to the burial (he touched a dead body making him unclean), and he allowed the woman with the alabaster box to touch him (everyone knew her reputation).

And yet despite the word that was spreading about Jesus, Jairus had only one option and that was to find Jesus, no matter what people said. His daughter was 12 years old and was full of vibrant life before she got sick.

At the same time, there was a woman who had an issue of blood and no matter who she went to, she could not be healed. She had given all of her money to many doctors and no one could help her. But she heard about a man named Jesus who could transform lives. The bible says she suffered for 12 years.

So for 12 years one young lady grew in life but came to death while another suffered with death but was seeking life.

2. Faith Faces Barriers

Luke 8:43–44 “And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.”

Jesus is on his way to Jairus house and a crowd is following Him. The crowd is very loud and continues to grow so much that it attracts the attention of the woman with the issue of blood.

She now faces a desperate situation where she has to get through the crowd to get to Jesus! She made up in her mind that if she could touch the hem of his garment she would be made whole.

But why was the hem important?

"But for you who fear My name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go out and grow fat like calves released from the stall." Malachi 4:2

The Hebrew word for "wings" in this verse is kanaf, which can also be translated as "corner" or "edge." This is likely a reference to the corners of the prayer shawl, where the tzitzit were attached. The idea is that the tzitzit, which are located at the corners of the tallit, symbolizes God's protective presence and His commandments. Therefore, the phrase "healing in his wings" suggests that the Messiah would be like a tallit with tzitzit, providing healing and protection to those who revere His name and follow His commandments.

Mark 5:27 says she came the crowd from behind Him. She pushed her way through the crowd and touched the hem of His garment and was made whole.

Her barrier was the crowd to get to Jesus but she would not let it stop her. But Jesus stopped and created an obstacle for Jairus because He was interrupted from healing his daughter!

3. Jesus Joyfully Justifies

Luke 8:45–48 KJV 1900

And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.