Bible Study Notes for the Lord’s Day,
January 16, 2011
Luke 8:40-48
“The Mystery of Faith”

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Introduction 
We have been studying the interaction between God and mankind.  We are created in His image, but He is deity and we are human, He is infinite and we are finite, He is supernatural and we are natural. 

Some “supernatural” things are just superstitions, explainable by science.  Others are fakes, like magic tricks.  But some are real cases where supernatural power comes into the natural world to cause a different outcome than would have been expected.

Sometimes supernatural power is needed, in the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of our lives.  Storm, the legion of demons, now sickness and death.

When He was on Earth, Jesus was a miracle worker.  Even today, He enables ordinary people in ordinary life situations, to sometimes do extraordinary things, miracles. The key is faith, the mystery of faith, trusting Jesus.

 40  So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him.
 41 And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house,
 42 for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him.
 43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any,

 44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.
 45 And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’”
 46 But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.”
 47 Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.
 48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
49 While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.”
 50 But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.”
 51 When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl.
 52 Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping.”
 53 And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead.
 54 But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” 55 Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat.
 56 And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened.

Are there some mysteries concerning the miracles of faith in this story?  What’s up with the woman accessing Jesus’ healing power for a miracle, by faith, without His consent, seemingly without His even knowing about it?

1. Problems of the natural world - sickness, chronic sickness, and death  v42-43

 42 for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him.
 43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any.

The natural world is amazing, life, the way a person comes into being, is made alive is awesome.  But then after the fall of man, also mysterious are diseases, damage, decline, death.  It only takes a moment to pass from life to death. 

My puppy was hit by a car.  I held him in my arms and watched the life leave his body.

2. Sometimes natural remedies can solve our problems  v55

 55 Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat.

God made our bodies to be healthy and strong, and even to heal themselves when we eat right, exercise, rest, take our stress to Him.  Garden of Eden, Daniel and buds.

3. Sometimes natural remedies are not enough  v43

 43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any.

Medical science, natural remedies have many of the solutions we need.  Sometimes the doctor says, “We’ve done all we can.”

 

4. There is a need for supernatural intervention  v40-41

 40  So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him.
 41 And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house.

Jairus knew his daughter was dying, and there was no hope for her in the natural realm.  He also knew that Jesus operated in the super(beyond)natural realm, that He had brought supernatural power into natural situations with great success.

5. Jesus is always willing to provide the supernatural help when we need it  v42

 42 ....But as He went...

Isn’t He awesome?  He has the supernatural power and authority to help us, and all we have to do is ask.  That’s because He loves all of us.  The Dad asked, Jesus went with him.

6. Supernatural help requires faith, reliance, trust in supernatural God  v40-44

 40  So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him.
 41 And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house,
 42 for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him.

 43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any,
 44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.

Notice how they both expressed their faith in Jesus  v41, 44

7. Faith is trusting a Person, not a method or system

Mark 5
27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment.
 28 For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”

Where did she get that from?  Where is that written?  What made her think that was an acceptable way of approaching Jesus for healing?  She was making up the rules as she went along.  How could she do that?  She trusted the goodness, graciousness of Jesus.  She knew it would be OK with Him.

God looks at pure faith in Him, in His love, goodness and power, the passion of our hearts, more than following a certain system.

Her unorthodox approach - not faith in a method or a system, even the orthodox ways of doing things, she put her faith in a Person.

Have you put your faith, trust, reliance in a Person?

8. When we have faith, Jesus is so willing to help us that He doesn’t have to think about it  v43-48

 43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any,
 44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.
 45 And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’”
 46 But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.”
 47 Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.
 48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

Scholars disagree here.  Some say that as the Song of God, Jesus knew she was there, what her need was.  They say that the Holy Spirit gave her the idea and the green light to reach out to touch Him, that Jesus was OK with it, and that Jesus was just testing her by appearing surprised and demanding she come forward.

Other scholars say that sometimes in His humanity, Jesus was genuinely surprised by people’s actions and reactions, and that healing power was activated by her faith, and flowed out of Him without His prior knowledge or consent.

I think either way, the bigger picture is that Jesus is making a point.  When we have faith and reach out to access Him, Jesus is so willing to help us that He doesn’t have to think about it, consider it, make a decision.  It’s like it’s automatic.  “I am willing, be healed.”

 48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

9. Sometimes situations make faith difficult  v49

49 While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.”

Can you imagine how low your faith would be at that point?  Sometimes the situation is overwhelming.  Sometimes the realistic but discouraging words of doctors, friends and family members can take all the wind out of our sails.  Always the devil intimidates us. 

A 110lb boxer was terrified of a goose because of intimidation.

Sometimes situations make faith difficult.

10. Steps must be taken to strengthen faith  v49-54

49 While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.”
 50 But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.”
 51 When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl.
 52 Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping.”
 53 And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead.
 54 But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.”

a. The encouraging words of faith  v50

b. Conditioning the atmosphere of faith  v51-54a

Sometimes we need to take steps to strengthen our faith, to read the scriptures and the promises of God, to encourage each other, to limit or eliminate any voices speaking against the will of God for us.

11. Faith in God results in supernatural miracles in the natural world  v54-55, 44

 54 But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.”
 55 Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat.

 44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.

12. The aftermath of a miracle  v56, 45-48

 56 And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened.

He let the scoffers and doubters think that maybe she had just been sleeping and He had only awakened her.  Jesus did not want a big deal made of this.

 45 And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’”
 46 But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.”
 47 Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.
 48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

Conclusion  Sometimes supernatural power is needed, in the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of our lives.  Storm, the legion of demons, now sickness and death.

The key is faith - do we trust Him, His goodness, love, graciousness toward us?  Do we trust Him absolutely?  James - God is willing to give to everyone, liberally and without reproach, so we need to ask Him in faith with no doubting.  Double minded cannot receive anything from the Lord.

Many times, the natural ways God made are good enough for us.  But sometimes, we need His supernatural intervention, and for that we need faith.

 48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

 50 But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.”

Application to My Life

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