“Thy Faith Hath Made Thee Whole”

1. Read: Matthew 9:20-22 (See Mark 5:24-34 & Luke 8:43-48).

2. About the Text:

1) Here is a story of faith often celebrated.

2) It is a story within a story, really.

3) Jesus was on his way to heal a man’s daughter who eventually died.

4) In the midst of the crowd a woman with an illness found Jesus.

5) She had heard of Jesus’ ability to heal the sick.

6) And this was an opportune time for her to act upon what she had heard.

7) Mark and Luke give us more detail than Matthew.

8) So let’s turn over to Mark 5:25 and study from there.

9) What happened in this woman’s life that was so significant?

10) How is it that Jesus came to say to her, “Thy faith hath made thee whole”?

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. Her disease.

1) She had an issue of blood.

2) This made her unclean according to Leviticus 15:25-30 (read).

3) This had gone on for twelve years.

a. Imagine for twelve years being an outcast of society.

b. Imagine for twelve years being barred from the temple.

2. Her efforts.

1) She was looking for a cure.

2) She sought physicians of the day.

3) She had suffered under them.

4) She had spent all of her money to find a cure. Luke says, “all her living.”

5) Her results.

6) She had not improved.

7) Rather, she had grown worse.

8) Luke says, “None could heal her.”

3. Her condition reminds us of another condition.

1) Not a physical one, but a spiritual one.

2) Man has a spiritual problem – sin. (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23).

3) This problem separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2).

4) Man’s sin problem can also last for years and years if it goes untreated.

5) We need to look for a cure!

6) There is no “physician of the day” that can cure this problem.

a. The religious leaders of the day could not cure this problem (Matthew 5:20).

b. We cannot cure this problem with a righteousness of our own (Phil.3:9).

c. No “physician of the day” can cure this problem.

7) No amount of money can cure this problem.

a. Many believe that if they just throw money at the problem of sin it will go away.

b. Matthew 16:26 – couldn’t do it even if we gained the whole world.

c. “They that trust in their wealth, And boast themselves in the multitude of their riches; None of them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him” (Psalm 49:6-7).

8) If we don’t do something, the problem will just grow worse (James 1:14-15).

1. She heard.

1) Mark says, “She heard the reports about Jesus” (ESV).

2) The reports of Jesus’ power were great. Consider Matthew 4:23-25.

2. She believed.

1) We know from Romans 10:17 that faith comes by hearing.

2) Based upon what she had heard, she believed; her faith was not of sight (2 Cor.5:7).

3) She told herself, “If I do but touch his garment, I shall be made whole.”

3. She acted upon that belief.

1) The text says, she “came in the crowd behind and touched his garment.”

2) Her faith wasn’t a dead faith, but an active and living faith.

3) By works her faith was made perfect according to James 2:22.

4. This reminds us of God’s plan for man’s salvation.

1) We must hear the word of God – Romans 10:17.

2) We must believe God’s word – Hebrews 11:6.

3) We must then act upon that faith by . . .

a. Repenting of sin (Acts 17:30).

b. Confessing Jesus as Christ (Romans 10:10).

c. And being baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16).

4) All along, we are trusting in Jesus’ for salvation because this is the plan that He gave.

1. She received healing.

1) Mark says two things immediately happened.

a. “The flow of blood dried up.” (ESV)

b. “She felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.” (ESV)

2) The problem that had plagued her for 12 years was completely gone.

a. She would not be an outcast anymore.

b. She could now have a “clean” house.

c. She could now go to the temple and worship God.

2. Jesus questioned her.

1) Jesus knew that she was being healed.

2) He perceived the power go out from him.

3) Jesus’ asked, “Who touched me?”

4) This was not because He did not know, but to call attention to the fact that He DID.

5) It was Jesus who saved her, not anything else!

6) She came before him in fear and trembling and acknowledged what she had done.

3. Jesus blessed her and sent her on her way.

1) Some Rabbi’s of the day would have cursed her for making them unclean.

2) But Jesus could not be made unclean in such a way. Instead, he cleansed her.

3) So Jesus said, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

4) She was also told to “Go in peace.” She finally received closure.

4. Today, we can have complete assurance that what Jesus says will happen!

1) Consider Matthew 28:18 “All authority…”

2) Consider Mark 16:16 “shall be saved!”

3) When we turn to Jesus in loving obedient faith, He will give the blessing of salvation.

4) And when we follow His plan, we can know it IS Jesus that saves and nothing else!

5) He also tells us to “Go in peace” confident of the salvation that He gives.

6) He gives us “closure” to the problem of sin as well.

7) John 8:36, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”

1. When you read the story of this woman, I hope you will consider her and our . . .

1) Condition, 2) Cure, 3) Closure.

2. Invitation