Introduction

Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. Today, we are going to dive into a passage from the Gospel of Matthew that speaks to the very core of our faith in Jesus. It paints a vivid picture of His compassion, His willingness to heal, and His response to desperate situations. As we explore this passage, we'll see how the power of faith in Jesus can bring about restoration and healing in our lives, even when all seems lost.

Before we delve into the Scripture, let me share with you this quote from C.S. Lewis: "God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain." In our moments of desperation and helplessness, we can find solace in the fact that our loving God is always with us, ready to embrace us with His healing arms.

"God, who foresaw your tribulation, has specially armed you to go through it, not without pain but without stain." —C.S. Lewis

Jesus' Compassion and Willingness to Heal

Time and time again, we see Jesus reaching out to those who are suffering, offering them not only physical healing but also spiritual restoration. In this passage from Matthew, we see two powerful examples of Jesus' compassion in action: the healing of the woman with the issue of blood and the raising of the synagogue leader's daughter.

First, let's consider the story of the woman who had been suffering from a bleeding disorder for twelve years. This woman had likely exhausted all her resources in search of a cure, and her condition would have made her an outcast in her community, as she would have been considered ceremonially unclean. Yet, in her desperation, she reaches out to Jesus, believing that even the slightest touch of His garment would bring healing.

Jesus' response to this woman is a beautiful demonstration of His compassion. He does not rebuke her for touching Him, nor does He dismiss her as unimportant. Instead, He turns to her and addresses her as "daughter," a term of endearment that acknowledges her worth and dignity. He then tells her that her faith has healed her, and she is immediately restored to health. In this encounter, we see Jesus' willingness to heal, not only physically but also emotionally and spiritually, as He restores this woman's sense of belonging and self-worth.

Next, let's examine the story of the synagogue leader's daughter. This man, a respected figure in his community, comes to Jesus in a moment of utter desperation. His daughter has just died, and he is likely feeling a mix of grief, helplessness, and perhaps even guilt for not having sought Jesus' help sooner. Yet, he still has faith that Jesus can bring his daughter back to life.

Once again, we see Jesus' compassion on full display. He does not hesitate to go with the synagogue leader, even though doing so would likely make Him ceremonially unclean. As they approach the house, they are met with a scene of mourning and disbelief. Jesus, however, remains undeterred. He tells the mourners that the girl is not dead but asleep, a statement that is met with laughter and ridicule. Nevertheless, Jesus proceeds to take the girl by the hand and raise her back to life, demonstrating His power over death and His willingness to heal even in the most hopeless of situations.

The Power of Faith in Receiving Restoration

Let’s go back to the woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO