71. Woman healed by
touching hem of Jesus’ garment- Matt. 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-34, Luke 8:42-48
-A twelve year hemorrhage, which had taken all of her money
and effort with doctors, brought this woman to total dependence and trust in
Jesus, the Messiah, for hope and healing. She had deep affliction and was
intensely desperate for help when she touched His garment and received the
power of God in her life for total healing in this area. She knew immediately
that she had been healed and was really embarrassed to the point of fear. This
brought her to a humble recognition before Christ as He felt His healing power
proceeding from His Being in the middle of a pressing crowd of people. Jesus
pointed out to her that it was her faith that had healed her and that she could
now go in peace. *Application* Our desperate cries to Jesus release His power
in our lives even to this day. Whatever your dilemma, call upon Him in faith to
receive miraculous deliverance and peace. Jesus is the answer!
Verse to Memorize-
Mark 5:34
72. Rejection of
Jesus at Nazareth- Matt. 13:54-58, Mark 6:1-6
-As Jesus was going around to the Galilean villages teaching
the Kingdom, He came to His hometown of Nazareth, which is west of the Sea of
Galilee. The people there knew Him only as a carpenter (a common laborer) and
they became offended that people were following Him as a Rabbi. He was teaching
in the synagogue, which may correlate to the passage in Luke 4:16-31, where He
rebuked the Nazarene populace and was almost cast off a cliff of the mountain.
Matthew and Mark, if this is the same visit back to His hometown, focus more on
the skepticism and unbelief Jesus encountered. It is interesting to note that
their lack of faith reduced greatly His working of miracles in their midst.
This led the Lord to wonder at their unbelief and make the comment about how a
prophet is not without honor except in his hometown, among his relatives, and in
his own household. *Application* How do people receive you, especially when
they’ve known you in the past as you grew up. Sometimes people’s opinions
greatly reduce your ability to effectively work and minister. We have to be cognizant
of the limitations in certain places based on false perceptions from the past.
Thankfully, God has cleared us of our past through His forgiveness and
restoration and is primarily concerned with our present and future in His
wonder working power. So walk in His victory and don’t worry about the
naysayers. You may even want to avoid them if possible under the Lord’s
guidance and direction. A prophet or prophetess is still not usually honored in
his/her hometown. Also, unbelief will always restrict the movement of God in a
place. If you find yourself wondering why God is not a work in a place, check
the faith meter and you will probably find skepticism and doubting present.
Where pride and unbelief reside the power of God is severely reduced. Take
notice American church.
Verses to Memorize-
Mark 6:5-6
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