Jesus Healing the Woman with the Issue of Blood
Luke 8:43-48
Introduction: This morning we are going to take a look at one of the better known examples of where Jesus heals a woman and next week we will see him restore life to a young girl.
Attention: Notice please as Jesus responds in these passages that there is not a moment’s hesitation in his actions. That is the way he answers your prayers today. He does not need to think about it or look it up in a book or consult a crystal ball. Your already knows your request and loves you. He grants those prayers that are within the Father’s will and does not waste time.
Today we will look at this passage we will see the entire story as it happened not just using part of it as an illustration. Let’s read:
Luke 8:43-48 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." (NKJV)
Need: Every believer needs to recognize that Jesus has ALL AUTHORITY IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH. Too many believers forget that small part of a verse and feel that he does not or cannot answer their prayer. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Interrogative: So let me ask this morning’s question: A friend of mine several years ago said that her daughter had liver cancer and that she was going through treatment for years. I remember thinking to myself, that’s a waste of time – everyone who gets liver cancer dies. You liver filters all your blood and soon all your blood is tainted and the cancer will spread. Although the facts are real and verifiable and the daughter did die, was that the best show of my faith in God?
Transition: So we keep the two stories clear I will put the passage for the little girl together and the woman alone and treat them like that rather than break the one up. So today let’s go to verse 43 and next week we will come back to verse 40. Our text this morning suggests five things that could help you in your understanding of the Lord’s power, authority and love for his followers.
1. Believers wait too long to come to Jesus
Explanation: This woman had been bleeding for 12 years. She spent all her money on doctors. I do not see a mention of her going to the priests for prayer. I see no spiritual activity at all until this passage. We know she had faith and knowledge of God and Jesus, because she knew to try to get near him.
Illustration: One day a young man moved into a cave to study with a Wiseman. He hoped to learn everything there was to know. After giving his student a stack of books, the Wiseman sprinkled itching powder on his student’s hand and left. Every morning the wise man returned to the cave to monitor his student’s progress. "Have you learned everything there is to know yet?" the Wiseman asked. And every morning his student said, "No, I haven’t." Then the Wiseman would sprinkle itching powder on the student’s hand and leave. This was repeated for months. But one day, as the Wiseman entered the cave the student took the bag of itching powder and tossed it into the fire. "Congratulations!" said the Wiseman. "You’ve graduated. You’ve learned you don’t have to know everything to do something positive. And you’ve learned how to take control over your life and stop the itching." Today in the Word, May 1, 1992.
Argumentation: Frequently believers see a situation and fail to pray, seek help, tell anyone and that list can go on forever.
Application: Do you have any medical, social, economic, emotional or psychological issues and have failed to seek help? You think they will cure themselves? Think again.
Transition: It is within your ability and responsibility to take care of you! Do you? We can see “Believers wait too long to come to Jesus.”
2. Believers try to keep their faith undercover
Explanation: When Jesus spilled the beans the others replied they had not touched him. Finally, the woman stepped forward and said it was her. Why are Believers so shy? Make sure you hear me on this.
Illustration: Bold is not arguing, it’s not rude; it’s not making sure you make your point. Bold is being a real witness in the same manner that Jesus was. He was never tired of loving his creation even those who rejected him. He did get point blank with some of the Scribes and Pharisees but he was fervently reaching to them. These were the doctors of the law. They should have known him and picked him out. They did not. When a Believer gets point blank with a person they are trying to share God’s love with (who lacks knowledge) that’s us being rude.
Argumentation: There is not a real example of Jesus taking a person who was really ignorant of the love of God and him choosing to beat on them with Scripture they were not familiar with.
Application: The perfect example of a real honest witness activity is the Woman at the Well. Nothing short of that will work. He loved and did not condemn. He explained and gave testimony and not brow beat or throw useless words at them that they did not understand. When you share your faith remember whose ambassador you are.
Transition: We see that “Believers wait too long to come to Jesus” and that “Believers try to keep their faith undercover.”
3. It’s easier for a Believer to be bold not timid.
Explanation: The woman explained her circumstances and – yes she was fearful. Notice no one ridiculed her. Notice the Lord took the testimony and used it to bring glory to God.
Illustration: Have you ever heard of the "Dependent Order of Really Meek and Timid Souls"? When you make an acrostic of its first letters, you have "Doormats." The Doormats have an official insignia--a yellow caution light. Their official motto is: "The meek shall inherit the earth, if that’s OK with everybody!" The society was founded by Upton Diskson who wrote a pamphlet called Cower Power. Swindoll, The Quest For Character, Multnomah, p. 44.
Argumentation: Folks I am not going to waste time explaining this one. But I will if anyone here honestly thinks that God telling us to be bold was a mistake or that it does not apply to you in every single aspect of your life. Anyone want to take a shot at dodging the bullet?
Application: Witnesses are martyrs (remember where the word witness comes from) for the cause of Christ pouring out their lives for the cause of evangelism. If they are not then trust me – they are not witnesses.
Transition: We see that “Believers wait too long to come to Jesus” and that “Believers try to keep their faith undercover.” Now we see, “It’s easier for a Believer to be bold not timid.”
4. Believers frequently do not trust the Word of God.
Explanation: Folks this one is a crying shame. People who want to call themselves Christians are in fact dabbling in the black arts and others activities just as damaging.
Illustration: About half of the Americans who are familiar with the New Age movement don’t take its teachings seriously, a third of them say New Age thought runs counter to Judeo-Christian teaching, says a new poll by the Princeton Religious Research Center. The poll also shows that the general population’s awareness of the New Age is low, but the number of Americans who adhere to New Age practices is alarmingly high, even among professing Christians. "Many who consider themselves good Christians nonetheless have engaged in practices that seemingly are counter to the teaching of their church," the pollsters said. Roughly half of all Americans say they believe in extrasensory perception. Thirty percent of Roman Catholics and 22 percent of Protestants say they believe in clairvoyance, while 48 percent of Roman Catholics and 44 percent of Protestants say they believe in psychic healing, the poll shows. The poll indicates that 25 percent of both groups believe the movement of the stars may help govern the affairs of men and women. Christianity Today, February 10, 1992.
Argumentation: Why and how is this possible? God’s word says do not be involved with witches, spiritualists, and mediums. Scripture is very clear about stargazing (in the sense of Astrology not Astronomy) not being a practice that we should be involved in. Why do supposed believers dabble in this sort of thing? Why do believers read the Horoscope? Oh, it’s harmless, it’s for entertainment. Oh really, why did God specifically say stay away from it. You know not to play in traffic or pick up a cobra. God’s word did not say don’t do that, but when he specifically said do not do this, why is it done?
Application: Believers should take God’s word for what it is. A loving invitation to come closer to him and learn more about his will for their lives. Why then do believers not read his word or pray?
Transition: We see that “Believers wait too long to come to Jesus,” “Believers try to keep their faith undercover” and that “It’s easier for a Believer to be bold not timid.” Sadly, “Believers frequently do not trust the Word of God.”
5. Believers find happiness when they are close to Jesus.
Explanation: It’s not possible for a believer to grow in the Lord while sitting in a séance, or with drug dealers smoking pot, or fishing on Sunday morning. I fully recognize that we all have various things to do in life and sometimes that collides with one of our worship services. Well, make priorities and if you must miss one then try your best not to miss both. Make worship a solid priority in your life.
Illustration: Ever notice that when your cup of happiness is full, somebody always jogs your elbow? Source Unknown.
Argumentation: Folks a little rain will come into the lives of everyone here. It is when one chooses to separate themselves from church and God that they become miserable. Money and status and intelligence will not make you happy or content. Being close to Jesus will in spite of life’s hills and valleys. That’s where you find happiness and peace.
Application: By shear definition, a Christian is a little Christ. We should think, act and sound just like him; loving, caring, sharing and looking for someone to share their faith with all the time.
Transition: We see that “Believers wait too long to come to Jesus,” Believers try to keep their faith undercover and that it’s easier for a Believer to be bold not timid. Sadly, Believers frequently do not trust in the Word of God. Gladly, “Believers find happiness when they are close to Jesus.”
