Saturday, October 16, 2010

Day 286

Galilean Ministry cont.
7. Miracles by the sea - cont.
- Raising of Jairus' daughter (M-15) and healing of afflicted woman (M-16) - Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56
- Healing of two blind men and demoniac (M-17) - Matthew 9:27-34

<><><><><><><><><><><><><>
A woman afflicted and a dead girl.  Twelve years of affliction.  If she was a Jew she was not supposed to be mingling and touching people.  She would make them 'unclean.'  If I remember correctly anyone who was unclean was supposed to announce it as they came around others.   Touching someone would make them 'unclean.'


She touched the hem or border of his garment.  She didn't even touch Jesus...just the most outward piece of his clothing.  She had 12 long, laborious years of seeking for healing.  All to no avail.  Was she frustrated, distraught, discouraged?  Obviously at the end of what she could or would cope with, willing to risk much.  Had she been or would she be censured, outcast (if not already), possibly looked down upon?


Jesus' being touched by her did not make HIM unclean - 'virtue' went out from him.


Virtue - G1411 - From G1410; force (literally or figuratively); specifically miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself).
     G1410 - Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.


Is this the only example of someone 'taking' a miracle?  She didn't ask, Jesus didn't see her need (though HE, as a member of the Godhead, would have been aware).  That will be an interesting study...of the recorded miracles that Jesus performed, how many were taken?


I have browsed Gill's commentaries on all 3 recorded instances of this miracle.  Amazing.  Simply amazing.  I can see why pastors and/or teachers can take hours sometimes to get through one verse.  The depth and riches contained in Father's word are absolutely amazing.


He didn't condemn or chastise, he called her daughter.  All three passages record the same statement, "Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole."


Daughter:  G2364 - Apparently a primary word (compare “daughter”); a female child, or (by Hebraism) descendant (or inhabitant).


More than just potentially a daughter of Abraham...a daughter of the Most High God.


The damsel was 12 years old - I had heard someone make a comparison on this, especially as the stories are interwoven.  I did not find anything in the commentaries I reviewed.  Still it is interesting that the woman was afflicted for 12 years and the child was 12 years old.


"They laughed him to scorn."


Scorn - G2606 - To laugh down, that is, deride.


"...knowing that she was dead."  - Based upon what they saw with their physical eyes.  Not spiritual eyes, for Jesus had already stated, "..she is not dead, but sleepeth."


He knew what they knew not, He saw what they saw not.  What does HE know or see in our lives that we do not, or will not?  What correction, healing, restoration, cleansing are we in need?


Father, we are but vessels of clay, You are the Potter.  Help us Lord to press into You.  Help us Lord not to choke on gnats and swallow camels in our walk.  Help us to discern between the children of light and those of darkness.  Give us eyes to see and ears to hear You Lord.  Being kind and gentle to all who call upon Your name.

No comments:

Post a Comment