A woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years approached Jesus from behind and touched the fringe of his cloak. She thought, “If only I touch his cloak, I will be healed.” Then Jesus turned and saw her. “Woman, take heart,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was cured in that moment.
Matthew 9:20-22
Notes for Contemplation as You Use this Devotional:
- This story, among the most profound teachings on healing, is part of a section titled, “The Healing Touch of Jesus,” also told by Gospel Writers Mark (5:25-34) and Luke (8:43-48).
- Jesus doesn’t do anything to heal the woman. She decides herself — and feels assured in the choice — to go forward in faith to touch his cloak and access his healing power.
- In all Jesus does, he first connects to God, and his wisdom reminds us that we can, too.
- Faith is our perceiving – perceptive – power to believe.
- Wherever we direct our belief, that is where our faith leads. Whatever we believe wholeheartedly, we often experience.
- Instead of saying, “Seeing is believing,” affirm: “Believing is seeing.”
- Our faith is as strong and visceral as our beliefs. When we doubt, we may feel confused and disillusioned because our faith wavers.
- In her book, Open Your Mind and Be Healed, Rev. Dr. Johnnie Colemon, teaches: “Faith is to an idea what soil is to a seed. Faith is an idea in Divine Mind [the Mind of God] embodying hope, trust, belief, and expectancy. . . . Faith is the power to focus on God the Good. . . . To exercise your faith means to direct your attention to God.”
Contemplation Questions:
Ask yourself:
- When I reflect on my life now, what do I only half believe?
- List, word map, or illustrate these beliefs.
- When I reflect on my life now, what do I believe wholeheartedly?
- List, word map, or illustrate these beliefs.
- When I reflect on my life now, what are some things that I would like to heal, whether emotional, mental, physical, or spiritual, but don’t believe that I can?
- List, word map, or illustrate what they are.
- When I reflect on my life now, how have I:
- relinquished my connection to God?
- ignored my own still, small voice?
- doubted myself and/or a truly trustworthy ally?
- placed my trust in God first?
- believed even though I’m not yet seeing my desired result?
- felt deep within me, beyond words I can fully express, that I am on the best road for me?
- List, word map, or illustrate whatever of these is true for you.
- When I reflect on my life now, what have I expected, in comparison to what actually may be occurring?
- List, word map, or illustrate your expectations.
- List, word map, or illustrate what you are experiencing.
- Compare these, so you can determine what to shift or realign, as needed.
- When I reflect on my life now, what are my hopes?
- List, word map, or illustrate all of them.
- What are at least three (3) ways that I am ready to redirect my faith so I can experience the healing I want and see the results I desire?
- List, word map, or illustrate as many as you can.
Work with this devotional slowly and intentionally. Notice your feelings about what you say you believe and how your body, a wonderful, spiritual barometer, feels. Also, remember that healing takes many different forms, so avoid giving God a lot of direction about how the healing “should” look and happen. Instead, imagine that God is in the driver’s seat and faith is your navigator as you travel the next road ahead. Like the woman who is healed, discern what to do — and then go for it.
© 2021 – Rev. Jennifer L. Sacks – All rights reserved.
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