Two of Every Kind
Two of Every Kind is a podcast that explores various biblical truths and subjects in a two-minute time frame that fits into your busy schedule. These messages are not intended to be exhaustive or fully explain certain topics in great depth, but they are designed to provoke deeper thought and encourage a more Christ-focused life. May these two-minute meditations invite you to become better acquainted with our great God.
Two of Every Kind
Her Faith Wasn't All In Her Head
What is faith? This episode attempts to touch the hem of the garment of that great subject. We get a glimpse of what faith looks like from a desperate woman who had a (most likely) humiliating ailment.
The bible is its own best commentary... while many have watered-down the meaning of faith, Jesus tells us that this woman had it. We'd be wise to study this eye-opening event (Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:24-34, Luke 8:42-48).
Luke 8:42-48
42 …As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.
45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”
46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”
47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
James 2:14
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?
Over time, words get twisted and can change meaning.
Take for instance the word “faith”.
People often think of faith as simply a mental process in which we accept ideas. That’s partly true.
We might observe the order and beauty of the universe, reflect on experiences in our lives, and we may conclude that God exists. And we say, "that’s faith".
But that’s not the faith that necessarily pleases God.
Let’s read Matt 9:20-22
And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.
Mark and Luke’s record imply she had to fight through a large multitude to reach Jesus, pushing her fears aside in the process.
So, could she have just sat back and watched Jesus from a distance, and thought, “there goes Jesus and I believe He can heal me”? Would that have alleviated her condition?
Well, notice she wasn’t healed until after her struggle to get to the Savior. It was then that Jesus said, “your faith has made you well.”
Faith requires more than our thoughts and our feelings. Our faith may begin in our heads and in our hearts, but ultimately faith will be seen in our conduct.
Perhaps your "faith" is one that recognizes Jesus from a distance, but decides to stay on the outskirts, never getting close and personal to the Savior. But that’s where the healing and the forgiveness are.
So, have you moved into the healing presence of Jesus, or is your "faith" all in your head?
