A Healing Faith
Matthew 9:18-26
Captain Paul Ryerson
Corps Officer
Gwinnett County, Georgia Division
Magdala
A few years ago, my wife and I had the opportunity to visit the Holy Land. The trip was filled with one emotional day after another. It is hard to describe getting to see firsthand where Abraham crossed into the land of Ur, the exact place where Moses led his people to the Promised Land, the battlefield where King Soul was killed, visiting the actual City of David, and seeing what is left of the Temple Solomon built. Of course, the Garden of Gethsemane, Calvary, and the Jesus’ Tomb all stir emotions. One stop we made while in the Galilee area was to the excavated City of Magdala. Magdala was a major fishing hub in the time of Jesus, only three miles north of Tiberius. Today, a modern-day temple stands next to the excavated synagogue. Upon entering this new temple, you are taken into a room, built from stone, with a table in the center. The table, which is used during worship, lays center to the back wall with a huge painting that takes up the entire wall.
The painting is absolutely breathtaking. It tells you the story that is associated with the church - the sick woman healed from touching Jesus’ clothes.
The Calling of Matthew
In Matthew 9, the same chapter where Jesus heals the sick woman, He does something a little strange. He called Matthew, the tax collector, to be one of His disciples. Strange, because tax collectors were despised by all Jews. They took more than what was required and kept the difference. Living comfortably, they made good money, and never went hungry. The trade-off, however, was a lonely life. They gave up any chance of having friends when they agreed to work for Rome. But all of that is about to change for Matthew. Jesus came to see Matthew at his booth, but He wasn’t there to pay taxes. In fact, He was there to do His own collecting. He said to Matthew, “Follow Me”. The Scripture says that Matthew didn’t clean up, put up, or lock up. He immediately left that life on the spot and followed Jesus. Matthew was so excited, he invited Jesus and disciples over for dinner at his house.
The Hem of His Garment
While they were eating, a synagogue ruler came over, crashing the party. “Jesus,” he said, “my little daughter is dying. Come and put your hand on her and she will live.” Without hesitation, Jesus went with the ruler. The disciples and the crowd outside of Matthew’s house also went with Him. They too wanted to see what Jesus was going to do. As they were heading toward the sick girl, a woman who had been ill for some time saw the crowd following Jesus and thought this was her moment. The Scripture says that the sick woman had been bleeding for 12 years and no doctor could heal her. According to Jewish customs, this would mean that for the last 12 years, this woman was ceremonially unclean, meaning anyone she touched was also made unclean. It is probable that this woman hadn’t experienced human touch in all that time.
In a moment of desperation, she pushed her way through the crowd and reached out to touch a small piece of Jesus’ cloak. She had total faith that a small touch was all it would take. “Who touched Me?” Jesus asked. Peter looked at Jesus a little confused, “Teacher, You are surrounded by a large crowd. Everyone is touching You! I’m touching You!” “No,” Jesus said, “Someone touched Me because I felt power leave Me.” Jesus wasn’t rushing down the street anymore. Out of all the hands reaching out to Him, He was seeking for the one. He found her trembling in fear, begging for His grace, apologizing that she was the one who touched Him. She was afraid that Jesus, a rabbi, was now unclean. “Oh Lord, forgive me,” she said. By law, Jesus would be unclean now, but something had happened when she touched Him. Jesus said, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace because you are now no longer unclean.” Because of her faith, the moment she touched Jesus, she was healed. Which means the moment she touched Jesus; she was made clean.
A Dead Daughter, But Not
As soon as Jesus healed the sick women, the synagogue ruler urged Jesus to hurry. After all, his daughter was still fighting for her life. Someone from the man’s house came out to share the grave news. This little detour spelled the difference between life and death for his daughter. She died. Jesus overheard them and told the ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” When they arrived in the house, it was filled with mourners, wailing, and crying for the lost girl. Jesus said, “Stop crying. She is not dead but asleep.” Jesus takes the girl’s hand and says, “My child, get up!” Her spirit returned, the little girl stood right up and began to walk around. She was healed.
Three different encounters with three identical outcomes. Matthew was given a clean slate, the sick woman a clean body, and the ruler’s daughter a clean start. The common denominator? Faith. Faith restores. Faith cleans. Faith heals.
Our Corporate Prayer
Lord, forgive us when our faith is lacking. May the faith we see in Your servants be the same type of faith we mirror when we call upon Your name today. Amen.
Our Worldwide Prayer Meeting
Mozambique Territory
Thinking it Through
Matthew, the sick woman and Jairus all showed faith in Christ in different ways. All of them took action. How is God challenging you to put your faith in action?
Notable Quotables
Faith is the end of our resources and the beginning of God's. - Commissioner Flora Larsson
Let's all now "Raise a Hallelujah!"
We would appreciate any feedback and/or suggestions on how to improve these devotionals. Please email comments to: SpiritualLifeDevelopment@uss.salvationarmy.org or by going to our website: https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/uss/spiritual-life-development.
We would love to hear from you.
Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee
Territorial Spiritual Life Development Officer/THQ Chaplain
USA Southern Territory