Matthew’s Gospel chapter 9 shows some power faith. In a short span, Jesus heals a paralytic, the bleeding woman, Jairus’ dead daughter, two blind men and a mute demoniac. The last 5 people healed were right in a row, as Jesus proceeded from or to another.
The one thing they all have in common is the faith of the person seeking healing.
“And Jesus saw their faith” Matthew 9:2
“”My daughter, your faith has made you well.” Matthew 9:22
“My daughter has just died, but, come and lay Your hand on her and she will live” Matthew 9:18
“Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “yes, Lord.”
In fact, we see in Mark’s telling of the events, the bleeding woman had such faith that Jesus didn’t even need to actively heal here – ‘For she had been saying to herself, “If I just touch His garments, I will be healed.” And immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that power from Him had gone out, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My garments?”” V. 28-30
I have a holy envy of these people. I wish I had just a fraction of that faith and trust. Total confidence to approach Jesus and know beyond a doubt that He would hear my need, see my faith and heal. Well, that is something to continue to work upon I guess.
Just a mustard seed of faith. That is all the soul requires to move mountains – Matthew 17:20. But, more so, this kind of faith is strong in the face of a mountain that isn’t moved.
One thing the Marian Fathers said about my book, “I Knew His Voice” – that touched me was that it is a story of trust. But, most especially a story of trust when the answer isn’t ‘yes’. It tells the story of a weak soul who learned to trust Jesus when no healing came, even after multitudes of prayer.
The mustard seed was planted in the days on those pages. It still grows, I’m waiting for that faith and trust seed to burst forth. Sometimes I can feel it changing and growing – for a moment.
Someday, I pray.
Do you have faith to approach Jesus and know He can and will bring healing, answer to your prayer? Do you have faith and trust in the storm to still have faith and trust when He doesn’t?
“But Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible for the one who believes.” Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”“ Mark 9:23-24