August 6, 2010
I have a fever, and the only cure is more JESUS!
Luke 8:40-56
Nate Disarro
Central Truth
We all have a sickness, whether it be a physical sickness or a sin sickness. The question is, who is our physician?
Key Verse | Luke 8:48
And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." (Luke 8:48)
Luke 8:40-56
Jesus Heals a Woman and Jairus's Daughter
40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41 And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus' feet, he implored him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying.
As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. 43 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, 1 8:43 Some manuscripts omit and though she had spent all her living on physicians she could not be healed by anyone. 44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. 45 And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter 2 8:45 Some manuscripts add and those who were with him said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
49 While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler's house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” 50 But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” 51 And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. 52 And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” 53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” 55 And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. 56 And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.
Dive Deeper | Luke 8:40-56
This passage is one of the monumental moments in Jesus' ministry. He has gathered a following of people who are wondering what is so different about Him; then, right in front of a large crowd of people, He demonstrates His healing powers.
Ever since college, the question on my heart has been, "What will I do with my life?" I have always wanted to control my career, my family, even my own happiness. It's a sickness, the same way that the woman in verse 43 had a sickness for 12 years. I continued to seek healing in different ways, mainly by creating my own success. I have always thought of myself as an achiever and someone who can get things done MYSELF! As this sickness continued to plague me, one thing I realized is that I was never seeking the right physician. I kept trying to stop the bleeding by finding another job or some sort of fleeting happiness. It was not until I came to Jesus and reached out to touch Him that I began to be healed. He alone is the one who can make all things better, but He tells us that it is by our faith in Him that we are healed, not our works.
Whenever I continued down the same path of trying to control my own happiness, I would find myself isolated and broken, a proverbial pit of despair. Every time I went to a different "doctor," I left with temporary fixes for a terminal illness, the same way that the woman in this passage did. Scripture says she spent everything she had and was not healed. I did not want to live that way. I chose to go see the Great Physician, and now by faith alone, I have been sent out with the peace of the Lord not to try to control my life, but to be controlled by the Holy Spirit in love.
At times, my flesh still desires to find my identity through control. But because of the healing power of the Holy Spirit, I have found freedom.
Discussion Questions
1. What is your "sickness"?
2. If you have tried several different "doctors," how's that working for you?
3. Are you constantly trying to live by works to manage your illness, or are you living by faith and allowing Jesus to take your illness and heal you?
4. In what ways do you see the evidence of Jesus in your life?
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Have you ever wished and hoped for something for a long time?
2. What was the woman, who was sick, hoping and wishing for? How long had she been sick? What all had she done to get well?
3. How do you think she felt after trying everything to be healed? Where did she receive healing? We should take everything, whether sickness or wants to God.