Praise be to the wonderful and amazing name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Let us turn to The Book of Malachi, also called The Prophecy of Malachias, where God promises to redeem His people and send a Messiah to fulfill His covenant promises.
The Intertestamental Period
Between Malachi and Matthew, there is a period of silence lasting four hundred years, known as the intertestamental period.
Exhortation Title: The Wings of Jesus
I am going to title this exhortation "The Wings of Jesus." You might wonder, what are these Wings of Jesus?
In the Old Testament, in the book of Numbers, the Lord spoke to Moses, instructing him to tell the people of Israel to make tassels (Hebrew tzitzit) on the corners of their garments. These tassels or tzitzit help them remember all the commandments of the Lord and keep them as a sign of holiness.
Malachi 4:2 says, "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall." The wings refer to the fringes attached to the edges of the garments of all Jewish people.
Did Jesus Follow the Law?
Did Jesus follow the Law? Of course, yes! Jesus was a Jew. He was born as a Jew and was a part of the Jewish world. All of His friends, associates, colleagues, and disciples were Jews. He regularly worshipped in synagogues where the Jews worshipped. But then He decided to fulfill the Prophecy from Malachi.
Example 1: Woman with the Issue of Blood (Mark 5:27, 30-34)
Let me share the story of the woman with the issue of blood from Mark 5:27, 30-34. This woman had a seemingly incurable condition that lasted for 12 years. She spent all her money trying to cure her infection, but the doctors couldn’t help her. Her condition made her ritually unclean, excluding her from most social contact.
Desperately wanting Jesus to heal her, she knew that her infection would cause Jesus to be unclean under Jewish Law if she touched Him (Leviticus 15:27). But she believed in another law - the law of faith. Jesus said unto her, "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague." She reached out and touched Him by faith and was healed. Jesus was not angry with her for touching Him; instead, He used the moment to teach her about faith.
Genuine Faith
Genuine faith is a verb, not a noun. It requires action, submission, willingness to do for God, and involves emotion. Life and faith did not begin the day we were born; it began before He formed us in the womb. It will not end the day we die. It is the quality of our afterlife - a life that Jesus promised abundantly. Faith that isn’t put into action is not faith at all.
Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." And Hebrews 11:6 reminds us, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." Proverbs 3:5 advises, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding."
Example 2: People of Gennesaret (Matthew 14:34-36)
Another example is found in Matthew 14:34-36, where the people of Gennesaret recognized Jesus as a great healer. They came to Him for physical healing and to prolong their lives on earth, but how many understood who He truly was? How many came to secure their eternal lives?
People may seek Jesus for relief from their temporary pain but miss the whole message. Jesus promises eternal life: "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish" (John 10:27-28).
Conclusion
As contemporary Christians or Torah-submissive Christians, how do we touch the wings of Jesus? Matthew 21:22 says, "And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."
What is the healing we need today? A healing in our body, spirit, emotions, or mind? Are we ready to reach out by faith and touch the wings of Jesus today?
He is Jehovah-Rapha - THE LORD WHO HEALS. He heals our body, broken spirit, emotions, relationships, and situations. All we need is FAITH, reaching out to Him and touching the Wings of Jesus today.
