Seeing Interruptions As Divine Appointments

Kairos Community Church

Message Notes: Seeing Interruptions As Divine Appointments

February 17, 2019

John H. Selert

“No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.” – C.S. Lewis

18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples. 20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” 22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment. 23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.26 News of this spread through all that region. Matthew 9:18-25

• Familiar Story > Faith; Healing > Also Told in Mark & Luke

• One has Power & Position; the other Poverty & Privation > Jesus SEES the whole person

• Ceremonial Clean/Unclean > Leviticus 15:25-27 & Numbers 19:16

The Mosaic Law is reversed.

16 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. 17 Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” Matthew 9:16, 17

Look at the passage through the lens of a Wounded Healer/ Agent of Reconciliation.

1. Be Aware Of Those Who Have A Broken Heart.

a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died… Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years

The woman’s faith in others was shattered. People had failed her; Doctors, Resources; Rules of her Religion

Feelings of Isolation & Loneliness

We have drugs for people with diseases like leprosy. But these drugs do not treat the main problem, the disease of being unwanted…. The sick and poor suffer even more from rejection than material want. Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty.” – Mother Teresa

“

Listen to God with a broken heart. He is not only the doctor who mends it, but also the father who wipes away the tears.” ? Criss Jami

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” Psalm 34:18

God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.

Healing comes through “Seeing & Touching” those in pain.

2. Expect God To Act. Jesus Has Authority Over Death & Disease.

“But come and put your hand on her, and she will live… She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

Sometimes we are tempted to give up on people or situations that have not changed for many years. God can change what seems unchangeable, giving new purpose and hope.

Break-Down or a Break-Through

Connection Between “Hem or Tassels” of garment & Malachi 4:2 "But for you who fear My name the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings & Jehovah Rapha—" I am the Lord who heals you.” Exodus 15:26

Direct Your Faith Towards Jesus. (Faith in faith is not faith)

Believe That You Are God’s Beloved Child.

Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,”

3. See Interruptions As Divine Appointments To Dispense God’s Grace.

Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.

20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” 22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15

• Accept An Invitation To Be A Healer.