Summary of Dr. Péter Hack’s Sermon on August 6, 2023
The woman with the issue of continous bleeding had been suffering from her condition for twelve years. Such a prolonged illness can significantly affect a person’s perspective on life. Moreover, according to the law, her condition greatly restricted her social interactions. In the Bible, we encounter other stories where problems persist for a long time, and individuals react to them in various ways. People can react poorly, which can lead to a loss of enthusiasm and bitterness. However, the woman in this story reacted positively. Despite being wealthy, she had spent almost all her resources on doctors and had suffered greatly at their hands. Nevertheless, she did not become bitter or lose hope. This woman had heard about Jesus.
“For Jesus of Nazareth healed many, so that as many as had afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him.” (Mark 3:10).
SHE GRABBED HOLD OF WHAT SHE HAD HEARD ABOUT JESUS. SHE COULD DO THIS BECAUSE SOMEONE HAD GIVEN HER TESTIMONY ABOUT THE LORD, AND THIS MESSAGE IS FOR US TOO, TO BOLDLY GIVE TESTIMONY BECAUSE LIVES CAN HANG IN THE BALANCE. LET’S PAY ATTENTION TO THE HOLY SPIRIT AND FOLLOW HIS GUIDANCE.
The woman was ready to take action when she heard about Jesus. She could act in her own interest because she wasn’t depressed; thus, she was able to seek a solution and break free from her condition. She understood that the solution was in the person of Jesus Christ, through whom she could find strength. She didn’t care about the obstacles in her way or lament that she didn’t receive an instant solution. Instead, she was proactive and took action. Hearing stories of healings had created faith in her heart, believing that she, too, could be healed. She didn’t look for someone else to intercede for her, such as one of the disciples or Jesus’ mother. Instead, she purposefully pressed through the crowd and reached out directly to Jesus Christ, aiming to touch His robe.
The woman wasn’t concerned about what the people around her thought or how they related to Jesus or what they were like. Her sole focus was reaching Him. When she did, she immediately felt that she was healed. The key to her healing was her faith, which is why Jesus told her that her faith had made her well.
It’s worth noting from the story that many others were also touching Jesus, almost crowding Him. But He noticed that someone touched Him differently—with faith. Many people had physical contact with Him, but because the woman did it with faith, Jesus felt divine power flow out of Him.
THIS POWER STILL EXISTS IN JESUS TODAY, AND WE CAN ACCESS IT TODAY. NO MATTER THE PROBLEM, WE SHOULDN’T FOCUS ON THE PROBLEM; INSTEAD, LET’S GO TO THE ONE WHO HOLDS THE SOLUTION.
God is preparing the young generation today to stand firm in the future. The anointing and strength that were sufficient in the past will no longer be enough. We need to take action to gain greater strength and seek solutions.
Jairus, the synagogue leader, approached Jesus with active faith because his daughter was gravely ill. When he heard the bad news, fear began to creep into his heart. In response, Jesus said to him, “Do not be afraid, only believe!” For a Christian, fear is not allowed. We should not allow ourselves to see the negative aspects of our destiny. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, so we should have a conviction of the solution even when we don’t know specifically how it will happen or become visible (Hebrews 11:1).
Jesus said that we would receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us. He provides it, but we have to take hold of it. Those who touch the edge of the Lord’s robe need not fear because Jesus is present where two or three gather in His name. Therefore, let us come into the presence of the Lord with the same kind of faith and determination as the woman with the issue of blood in the story. No matter what our problem is, let us draw strength from the Lord for our difficulties.
THE REFERENCED SCRIPTURES:
- Mark 5:22-36
- Acts 1:8
- Luke 6:19