And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt. But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt (EXODUS.3)
I thank God for the book of Exodus, I hope we all know the story of Moses, born from house of Levi brought up by pharaohs daughter, killed an Egyptian, fled to Midian where he met and married Zipporah, met with God at Horeb where he was sent back to Egypt to deliver the Israelites.
Mhhh! “Who am I that I should go”. Moses conversation with God in the mountain was all about him arguing the reasons why he should not be the one, however like always Gods word was final; I wonder how many times we have argued with God? I have, but he always wins.
Exodus reveals how God knows us from our mother’s womb and plans our lives a head of us. In Midian, it was planned by God that he will go there and be taught Gods way by Jethro his father in law. He needed to know his God first before introducing him to the world, to pharaoh. But in this place had become so comfortable, even had a family of his own such that he dint want to take the next step of faith towards his destiny, resulting to the argument with God (But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?)
What does this mean? He may have being looking after goats at the time, but his call was not to be a shepherd in that town, he had being called to be a deliverer, but shepherding was part of the journey.
Church of God, some people are in their location of their assignment, they have gone to Jethro and being taught and has now gone back to deliver that assignment and I thank God for you. But on the other hand, many are in Moses shoes at the time, comfortable with where we are and actually have been fooled into thinking that is all there is. Shepherding and going back to the family is not all God had fro Moses, NO! More fun was to follow, like dividing the sea among others.
I want to encourage some one today, wherever you are at the moment is path best days, and the shaking and sending few drops of tears is part of it, for on our way we get attached to places and things, but in order to go to the next level we have to leave them behind. Most of the time we even argue like Moses, BUT please may we not delay our blessing knowing that at the end of our resistance to his voice, Our awesome God always get it his own away! AMEN.
He says “Am not a man that I should lie”. Therefore, every thing that he has spoken concerning you, it shall happen. Most of the time, prophesy and the current situation always looks so different. Moses is to deliver Israel from Egypt, but he is on asylum in a foreign country. Do not let what you are going through determine the result, stand in faith and let God do his work. DO NOT GIVE UP!The massage is don’t argue with God, if he wants you in that place, stay there. If he decides that your time is up, you need to pack and move in a foreign land or back to the previous one, do it because that’s where your assignment is. He don’t always reveal the full picture, we might be so excited or too afraid to act, so he needs us to TRUST in him, and walk the walk until we find our selves there and mature enough to handle the blessings.
There are people out there in captivity, there are situation out there that need to be confronted, Justice that need to prevail, Poverty that have to be abolished, sins in the society such as abortion and homosexuality that need to bow down to righteousness. God is preparing you “for these pharaohs”, that’s why you are on the run, that’s why you are in a foreign environment to learn, that’s why God has placed some Jethros in your life to teach you , that’s why you feel inadequate, (Moses and his speech problem) so that Gods power can be manifested you. So do not ask “who am I that I should go?” You are the one that has being set apart for that purpose. AMEN!!
who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, (2timothy 1:9)
BE BLESSED
Shared by Niceness At the Mwafrika chatroom on Friday Nov. 6, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
His Temptation Our Temptation :: From "My Utmost For His Highest"
Hebrews 4:14therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, jesus the son of god, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15for we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 16let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Until we are born again, the only kind of temptation we understand is the kind mentioned in james 1:14, "each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed." but through regeneration we are lifted into another realm where there are other temptations to face, namely, the kind of temptations our lord faced. The temptations of jesus had no appeal to us as unbelievers because they were not at home in our human nature. Our lord’s temptations and ours are in different realms until we are born again and become his brothers. The temptations of jesus are not those of a mere man, but the temptations of god as man.
Through regeneration, the son of god is formed in us (see galatians 4:19 ), and in our physical life he has the same setting that he had on earth. Satan does not tempt us just to make us do wrong things— he tempts us to make us lose what god has put into us through regeneration, namely, the possibility of being of value to god. He does not come to us on the premise of tempting us to sin, but on the premise of shifting our point of view, and only the spirit of god can detect this as a temptation of the devil.
Temptation means a test of the possessions held within the inner, spiritual part of our being by a power outside us and foreign to us. This makes the temptation of our lord explainable. After jesus’ baptism, having accepted his mission of being the one "who takes away the sin of the world" ( john 1:29 ) he "was led up by the spirit into the wilderness" ( matthew 4:1 ) and into the testing devices of the devil. Yet he did not become weary or exhausted. He went through the temptation "without sin," and he retained all the possessions of his spiritual nature completely intact.
For Similar Resources... read.
Shared at the Mwafrika Chatroom on October 30, 2009.
Until we are born again, the only kind of temptation we understand is the kind mentioned in james 1:14, "each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed." but through regeneration we are lifted into another realm where there are other temptations to face, namely, the kind of temptations our lord faced. The temptations of jesus had no appeal to us as unbelievers because they were not at home in our human nature. Our lord’s temptations and ours are in different realms until we are born again and become his brothers. The temptations of jesus are not those of a mere man, but the temptations of god as man.
Through regeneration, the son of god is formed in us (see galatians 4:19 ), and in our physical life he has the same setting that he had on earth. Satan does not tempt us just to make us do wrong things— he tempts us to make us lose what god has put into us through regeneration, namely, the possibility of being of value to god. He does not come to us on the premise of tempting us to sin, but on the premise of shifting our point of view, and only the spirit of god can detect this as a temptation of the devil.
Temptation means a test of the possessions held within the inner, spiritual part of our being by a power outside us and foreign to us. This makes the temptation of our lord explainable. After jesus’ baptism, having accepted his mission of being the one "who takes away the sin of the world" ( john 1:29 ) he "was led up by the spirit into the wilderness" ( matthew 4:1 ) and into the testing devices of the devil. Yet he did not become weary or exhausted. He went through the temptation "without sin," and he retained all the possessions of his spiritual nature completely intact.
For Similar Resources... read.
Shared at the Mwafrika Chatroom on October 30, 2009.
ACCEPTING YOUR ASSIGNMENT :: Shared By Sharniz
The sermon is mainly derived from Rick Warrens book Purpose Driven Life ….
I will start by asking why are u here on earth for? Just ask yourself that question.
In the book of Ephesians :
Tells us that for we are God’s workmanship .created in Jesus Christ to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.
We were put on earth to make a contribution but not to consume resources. God designed you to make a difference with your life were created to add to life on earth, not just take from it.God wants to you to give something back.
This is one of God’s purposes for your life, and it is called your Ministry’ or servic.The bible gives us the details
1) u were created to serve God
the bible says God had created us for life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do” these good deed are your service. Whenever u serve others in any way you are actually serving God. and fulfilling one of your purpose.
What God told Jeremiah is also true for us all.. ‘Before u were born, i set you apart in your mothers womb, I chose you, before u were born iet you apart for a special work” you were’
You were placed on this planet for a special assignment.
II) you were saved to serve God
The bible sys, it he who saved us and chose us for his holy work not that was this plan.
God redeemed you so you could do his ‘holy works’ you are not saved by service, but you are saved for service. In God’s kingdom you have a place, a purpose, a role and a function to fulfill. This gives your life great significance and value.
It cost Jesus his own life to purchase your salvation. We don’t serve God out of quilt or fear or even duty, but out of joy, and deep gratitude for what he’s done for us. We owe him our lives. Through salvation our past has been forgiven, our present is given meaning and our future is secured. In light of these incredible benefits Paul concluded because of God’s great mercy.. Offering yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his services”
Have u ever wondered why God doesn’t just immediately take us to heaven the moment we accept his grace? Why does he leave us in a fallen word? He leaves us to here to fulfill his purpose. Once you are saved, God intends to use you for his goal. God has a ministry for you in his church and a mission for u in the world.
III) you were called to serve God
Growing up you may have thought that being ‘called by God was something ony missionaries, pastors, us and others ‘full fill’
Some people may try to serve God in hopes that this will either earn them eternal salvation or help them hang on to it. Of course, this is contrary to the grace of God in salvation and in sanctification (Eph. 2:8-9; Gal. 3:1-9).
Serving God – Making it PersonalReflect: I would encourage you to spend some time reflecting on your own spiritual walk to this moment in time. We have much to learn from the circumstances of our past. These situations have molded us into the people we are today. We need to be able to recognize God’s involvement along that path with grateful hearts. I challenge you to recognize that you are learning from the Master Himself every day as He personally takes you by the hand and points your way. Take a look at all the “coincidences” of your life and you will soon see God’s pattern. Be sure to journal your findings, as one day they will all make perfect sense.
Point to ponder: service is not optional
Shared by Sharniz At the Mwafrika chatroom on Friday Oct 23, 2009
I will start by asking why are u here on earth for? Just ask yourself that question.
In the book of Ephesians :
Tells us that for we are God’s workmanship .created in Jesus Christ to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.
We were put on earth to make a contribution but not to consume resources. God designed you to make a difference with your life were created to add to life on earth, not just take from it.God wants to you to give something back.
This is one of God’s purposes for your life, and it is called your Ministry’ or servic.The bible gives us the details
1) u were created to serve God
the bible says God had created us for life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do” these good deed are your service. Whenever u serve others in any way you are actually serving God. and fulfilling one of your purpose.
What God told Jeremiah is also true for us all.. ‘Before u were born, i set you apart in your mothers womb, I chose you, before u were born iet you apart for a special work” you were’
You were placed on this planet for a special assignment.
II) you were saved to serve God
The bible sys, it he who saved us and chose us for his holy work not that was this plan.
God redeemed you so you could do his ‘holy works’ you are not saved by service, but you are saved for service. In God’s kingdom you have a place, a purpose, a role and a function to fulfill. This gives your life great significance and value.
It cost Jesus his own life to purchase your salvation. We don’t serve God out of quilt or fear or even duty, but out of joy, and deep gratitude for what he’s done for us. We owe him our lives. Through salvation our past has been forgiven, our present is given meaning and our future is secured. In light of these incredible benefits Paul concluded because of God’s great mercy.. Offering yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his services”
Have u ever wondered why God doesn’t just immediately take us to heaven the moment we accept his grace? Why does he leave us in a fallen word? He leaves us to here to fulfill his purpose. Once you are saved, God intends to use you for his goal. God has a ministry for you in his church and a mission for u in the world.
III) you were called to serve God
Growing up you may have thought that being ‘called by God was something ony missionaries, pastors, us and others ‘full fill’
Some people may try to serve God in hopes that this will either earn them eternal salvation or help them hang on to it. Of course, this is contrary to the grace of God in salvation and in sanctification (Eph. 2:8-9; Gal. 3:1-9).
Serving God – Making it PersonalReflect: I would encourage you to spend some time reflecting on your own spiritual walk to this moment in time. We have much to learn from the circumstances of our past. These situations have molded us into the people we are today. We need to be able to recognize God’s involvement along that path with grateful hearts. I challenge you to recognize that you are learning from the Master Himself every day as He personally takes you by the hand and points your way. Take a look at all the “coincidences” of your life and you will soon see God’s pattern. Be sure to journal your findings, as one day they will all make perfect sense.
Point to ponder: service is not optional
Shared by Sharniz At the Mwafrika chatroom on Friday Oct 23, 2009
SERMON: ARE YOU BLINDED & BEGGING, CALL THE MORE! :: Shared By Pappa
Read Mark 10:46-52
The story is straight forward, the man had been blind (probably all his life). His life must have been one long routine, sitting by the roadside and begging. On this day he heard a crowd… he must have initially told himself … leo nime angukia, nitapata kitu ya kishua!! However as information filtered through he had that it was Jesus and immediately started calling out for Him. He did not just call out but also placed his request to Jesus as well. Verse 47, When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
However, it is recorded that many rebuked the blind beggar telling him to keep quiet, BUT… he shouted all the more… Son of David, have mercy on me!
As candid as the blind man was with his request to Jesus, so was Jesus with His request from the blind beggar, verse 51"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. And the man was clear in his mind about what he wanted, his immediate reply?? Rabbi, I want to see.
Lets stop for a moment and think about this situation and our lives. Many of us have ‘issues’. We may not be blind but we have struggled or are struggling with some darkness in our lives. Probably its your relationships, your financial status may be health or just your walk with Christ.You know that Jesus is always available to you and have been calling out to Him to have mercy on you!! But the crowd has kept us at bay. The crowd could be your brethren, your parents, your siblings… indeed the crowd could also be inside you, your doubts, your lack of faith, you logic or your impatience. Lets learn a quick lesson from the beggar!! When the crowd tried to bring him down, he shouted all the more… have you done that? What do you do when things seem not to be going your way? What do you do when you seem to trapped in one long routine? Do you shout the more or do you look for your ‘own’ solutions? Do you reason out with yourself and the world, sometimes even compromising your faith? Hear me out my brothers and sisters calling out the more is not just a matter of repeating your selfish prayers (prayers based on what you want rather than what you need, prayers based on mere prosperity rather than the will of God) calling out the more is seeking God earnestly, developing your relationship with Him, engaging with Him through out, involving Him in all that we do, knowing His purpose in you … in so doing your faith in Him grows and it is recorded that without faith you cannot please God (Heb 11:6)… that’s a sermon for another day.
That’s not the only lesson from the blind man… after calling out and Jesus seeking Him out Jesus asked him what he wanted… and the blind beggar was quick with His answer!! My dear brothers, after calling out to God in the right way and pleasing God by your growing faith well then Jesus turns to you and asks what you want done for you!! How many of us have reached this level of relationship with JC hadi anatuuliza, naweza ka kuduia what? And yet because of our spiritual insensitivity have ended up missing out on the question… or may be we jusy get caught up with the crowd and just do not hear Jesus ask.
Brethren, lets call out to Jesus all the more (through prayer, bible reading, study of the bible, continued meditation on the Word of God and through fellowship with believers) and also lets build up our spiritual sensitivity to hear Jesus speak to us and we answer appropriately.
For further study, check out the story of the Israelites exploring the promised land and the reaction of different people to what they saw and further, the CROWDS reaction to the report that was given in Numbers 13:1 to Numbers 14:4
Are you blinded and begging? Call on Jesus!!
Is the crowd putting you off? Call the more!!
Shared by Pappa At the Mwafrika chatroom on Friday Oct 16, 2009
The story is straight forward, the man had been blind (probably all his life). His life must have been one long routine, sitting by the roadside and begging. On this day he heard a crowd… he must have initially told himself … leo nime angukia, nitapata kitu ya kishua!! However as information filtered through he had that it was Jesus and immediately started calling out for Him. He did not just call out but also placed his request to Jesus as well. Verse 47, When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
However, it is recorded that many rebuked the blind beggar telling him to keep quiet, BUT… he shouted all the more… Son of David, have mercy on me!
As candid as the blind man was with his request to Jesus, so was Jesus with His request from the blind beggar, verse 51"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. And the man was clear in his mind about what he wanted, his immediate reply?? Rabbi, I want to see.
Lets stop for a moment and think about this situation and our lives. Many of us have ‘issues’. We may not be blind but we have struggled or are struggling with some darkness in our lives. Probably its your relationships, your financial status may be health or just your walk with Christ.You know that Jesus is always available to you and have been calling out to Him to have mercy on you!! But the crowd has kept us at bay. The crowd could be your brethren, your parents, your siblings… indeed the crowd could also be inside you, your doubts, your lack of faith, you logic or your impatience. Lets learn a quick lesson from the beggar!! When the crowd tried to bring him down, he shouted all the more… have you done that? What do you do when things seem not to be going your way? What do you do when you seem to trapped in one long routine? Do you shout the more or do you look for your ‘own’ solutions? Do you reason out with yourself and the world, sometimes even compromising your faith? Hear me out my brothers and sisters calling out the more is not just a matter of repeating your selfish prayers (prayers based on what you want rather than what you need, prayers based on mere prosperity rather than the will of God) calling out the more is seeking God earnestly, developing your relationship with Him, engaging with Him through out, involving Him in all that we do, knowing His purpose in you … in so doing your faith in Him grows and it is recorded that without faith you cannot please God (Heb 11:6)… that’s a sermon for another day.
That’s not the only lesson from the blind man… after calling out and Jesus seeking Him out Jesus asked him what he wanted… and the blind beggar was quick with His answer!! My dear brothers, after calling out to God in the right way and pleasing God by your growing faith well then Jesus turns to you and asks what you want done for you!! How many of us have reached this level of relationship with JC hadi anatuuliza, naweza ka kuduia what? And yet because of our spiritual insensitivity have ended up missing out on the question… or may be we jusy get caught up with the crowd and just do not hear Jesus ask.
Brethren, lets call out to Jesus all the more (through prayer, bible reading, study of the bible, continued meditation on the Word of God and through fellowship with believers) and also lets build up our spiritual sensitivity to hear Jesus speak to us and we answer appropriately.
For further study, check out the story of the Israelites exploring the promised land and the reaction of different people to what they saw and further, the CROWDS reaction to the report that was given in Numbers 13:1 to Numbers 14:4
Are you blinded and begging? Call on Jesus!!
Is the crowd putting you off? Call the more!!
Shared by Pappa At the Mwafrika chatroom on Friday Oct 16, 2009
SERMON: UNTIL I TOUCH THE HEM :: Shared By Arms
Text
Luke 8:40 – 48
[40] Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. [41] Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus' feet, pleading with him to come to his house [42] because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.
As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. [43] And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. [44] She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.
[45] "Who touched me?" Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you."
[46] But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me."
[47] Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. [48] Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace."
Exposition
Jesus and his disciples have returned to Galilee from the land of the Garasenes, and as their boat lands on the shore of lake Capernaum, a crowd is waiting (me and you). They have seen his boat from afar and have massed on the beach to welcome him.
The Press of the Crowd (8:40-42)
These pple are at the beach, Jesus's boat is coming just as he is riding in this word to the Mwafrika chatters this hour.
The bible says...there was this press of the Crowd (8:40-42). Pressing of a people in need.Jairus, is also there. He has a need for his daughter....he is pressing! The woman with the issue of blood is there....she is pressing! Me and you we are here...we are pressing!! Rent, power n water bills is the multitude today, pressing!! Joblessness, financial strains.....pressure! Broken n shaken relationships.....pressure!
Let me leave the mention of Jairus, the synagogue ruler, for now and consider him in the next lesson.
But as Jesus heads for Jairus' house to heal his daughter, the crowd is especially thick. The NIV says "As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him" (8:42).
NB: The world we live in has a need to see Jesus!
The word "crushed" or "thronged" translated (KJV) is Greek sumpnigo, "as a hyperbolic expression for 'crowd around, press upon,' something like 'almost crush.' "[1] It is the same word used by the Gospel writers in the Parable of the Soils (8:14) to describe the thorns "choking" the wheat and making it unfruitful.
As Jesus moves toward Jairus' house, the streets are utterly jammed.
I imagine it like the crowd moving out of Kasarani Stadium at the end of a game.
Capernaum's streets are not designed to handle these kinds of crowds.
Jesus is able to push forward only with difficulty and progress is slow.
Jairus is at his side and ever-mindful that his daughter's life is slipping away every moment that is wasted.
The Woman with the Hemorrhage (8:43) ………….Issue of blood.
"And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her." (8:43)
Among the pushing, shoving, elbowing crowd this day is a pale woman.
- Pale due to bleeding,
- Pale due to Joblessness
- Pale due to financial strains……………Pale
For twelve years she has suffered from uterine bleeding and she is weak.
Mark records, "She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse" (Mark 5:26).
Have you been sick for an extended period of time? Like the Tom’s case I posted today,
Have you experienced the hopelessness of having physicians do all sorts of tests, put you through all sorts of treatments, charge huge medical bills, and leave you worse for all their doings? Occasionally this lady's friends would tell her of some doctor they had heard of in another town. When she was younger, she might make the journey to consult with them, but no longer.
She is broke and hopeless.
Why go to a doctor when nothing helps?
Her faith in doctors' remedies is long since gone.
There is no hope for her.
According to the Jewish law – she is ceremonially unclean.
Women were normally considered unclean during their period.
"When a woman has a discharge of blood for many days at a time other than her monthly period or has a discharge that continues beyond her period, she will be unclean as long as she has the discharge, just as in the days of her period.
Any bed she lies on while her discharge continues will be unclean, as is her bed during her monthly period, and anything she sits on will be unclean, as during her period.
Whoever touches them will be unclean; he must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean till evening." (Leviticus 15:25-27)
Anyone who knew about her illness would shun her. She couldn't go about in society and mingle in the marketplace with the other women, since a touch from her would make someone unclean. She couldn't attend ceremonial occasions, or synagogue worship. And so she resorts to secrecy. Probably she isn't even known in Capernaum.
She comes incognito, her condition carefully concealed. But she comes with determination.
Elbowing Her Way to Touch the Master's Clothing (8:44)
"She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped" (Luke 8:44).
Friends………it does not matter if the church recognizes u or not, the point is….Elbow ur way into the master, whether people enter Mwafrika or Facebook to “see” other people…..elbow to touch His garment.
She determines to find him and be healed.
When his boat is spotted coming towards shore she is among the crowd waiting.
When Jairus prostrates himself before Jesus begging for his daughter's life, she is not far away.
- It does not matter whether someone else want to touch Jesus
- It does not matter if you can hear other people praying,
- Go for your miracle………Leave Jairus to plead his case.
- Jesus is able
And when Jesus begins to move through the crowd toward Jairus' housethis woman is not far behind.
To reach Jesus she must push and shove and elbow her way between people when tiny openings occur. She is weak; her strength is drained, and yet she will not give up.
- Never give up when you need a miracle
- Don’t listen to pressures
- Pursue your mission
She must reach Jesus, and so she continues to wedge her body through the crowd until she comes up behind him.
She has decided in her heart, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed" (Mark 5:28). She doesn't want to confront him in public.
She is too ashamed to admit the nature of her illness,
- No one has a right to stop you from touching Jesus
- As long as you can see Him….push on.
This woman had to do this without revealing anything.
But she must touch him.
She must.
We too must touch Him for our issues………..
Don’t give me an attitude…..i must touch Him.
Touch the hem (His Word)
For that is where the power is.
Amen
Shared by Arms At the Mwafrika chatroom on Friday Oct 9, 2009
Luke 8:40 – 48
[40] Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. [41] Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus' feet, pleading with him to come to his house [42] because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.
As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. [43] And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. [44] She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.
[45] "Who touched me?" Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you."
[46] But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me."
[47] Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. [48] Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace."
Exposition
Jesus and his disciples have returned to Galilee from the land of the Garasenes, and as their boat lands on the shore of lake Capernaum, a crowd is waiting (me and you). They have seen his boat from afar and have massed on the beach to welcome him.
The Press of the Crowd (8:40-42)
These pple are at the beach, Jesus's boat is coming just as he is riding in this word to the Mwafrika chatters this hour.
The bible says...there was this press of the Crowd (8:40-42). Pressing of a people in need.Jairus, is also there. He has a need for his daughter....he is pressing! The woman with the issue of blood is there....she is pressing! Me and you we are here...we are pressing!! Rent, power n water bills is the multitude today, pressing!! Joblessness, financial strains.....pressure! Broken n shaken relationships.....pressure!
Let me leave the mention of Jairus, the synagogue ruler, for now and consider him in the next lesson.
But as Jesus heads for Jairus' house to heal his daughter, the crowd is especially thick. The NIV says "As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him" (8:42).
NB: The world we live in has a need to see Jesus!
The word "crushed" or "thronged" translated (KJV) is Greek sumpnigo, "as a hyperbolic expression for 'crowd around, press upon,' something like 'almost crush.' "[1] It is the same word used by the Gospel writers in the Parable of the Soils (8:14) to describe the thorns "choking" the wheat and making it unfruitful.
As Jesus moves toward Jairus' house, the streets are utterly jammed.
I imagine it like the crowd moving out of Kasarani Stadium at the end of a game.
Capernaum's streets are not designed to handle these kinds of crowds.
Jesus is able to push forward only with difficulty and progress is slow.
Jairus is at his side and ever-mindful that his daughter's life is slipping away every moment that is wasted.
The Woman with the Hemorrhage (8:43) ………….Issue of blood.
"And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her." (8:43)
Among the pushing, shoving, elbowing crowd this day is a pale woman.
- Pale due to bleeding,
- Pale due to Joblessness
- Pale due to financial strains……………Pale
For twelve years she has suffered from uterine bleeding and she is weak.
Mark records, "She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse" (Mark 5:26).
Have you been sick for an extended period of time? Like the Tom’s case I posted today,
Have you experienced the hopelessness of having physicians do all sorts of tests, put you through all sorts of treatments, charge huge medical bills, and leave you worse for all their doings? Occasionally this lady's friends would tell her of some doctor they had heard of in another town. When she was younger, she might make the journey to consult with them, but no longer.
She is broke and hopeless.
Why go to a doctor when nothing helps?
Her faith in doctors' remedies is long since gone.
There is no hope for her.
According to the Jewish law – she is ceremonially unclean.
Women were normally considered unclean during their period.
"When a woman has a discharge of blood for many days at a time other than her monthly period or has a discharge that continues beyond her period, she will be unclean as long as she has the discharge, just as in the days of her period.
Any bed she lies on while her discharge continues will be unclean, as is her bed during her monthly period, and anything she sits on will be unclean, as during her period.
Whoever touches them will be unclean; he must wash his clothes and bathe with water, and he will be unclean till evening." (Leviticus 15:25-27)
Anyone who knew about her illness would shun her. She couldn't go about in society and mingle in the marketplace with the other women, since a touch from her would make someone unclean. She couldn't attend ceremonial occasions, or synagogue worship. And so she resorts to secrecy. Probably she isn't even known in Capernaum.
She comes incognito, her condition carefully concealed. But she comes with determination.
Elbowing Her Way to Touch the Master's Clothing (8:44)
"She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped" (Luke 8:44).
Friends………it does not matter if the church recognizes u or not, the point is….Elbow ur way into the master, whether people enter Mwafrika or Facebook to “see” other people…..elbow to touch His garment.
She determines to find him and be healed.
When his boat is spotted coming towards shore she is among the crowd waiting.
When Jairus prostrates himself before Jesus begging for his daughter's life, she is not far away.
- It does not matter whether someone else want to touch Jesus
- It does not matter if you can hear other people praying,
- Go for your miracle………Leave Jairus to plead his case.
- Jesus is able
And when Jesus begins to move through the crowd toward Jairus' housethis woman is not far behind.
To reach Jesus she must push and shove and elbow her way between people when tiny openings occur. She is weak; her strength is drained, and yet she will not give up.
- Never give up when you need a miracle
- Don’t listen to pressures
- Pursue your mission
She must reach Jesus, and so she continues to wedge her body through the crowd until she comes up behind him.
She has decided in her heart, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed" (Mark 5:28). She doesn't want to confront him in public.
She is too ashamed to admit the nature of her illness,
- No one has a right to stop you from touching Jesus
- As long as you can see Him….push on.
This woman had to do this without revealing anything.
But she must touch him.
She must.
We too must touch Him for our issues………..
Don’t give me an attitude…..i must touch Him.
Touch the hem (His Word)
For that is where the power is.
Amen
Shared by Arms At the Mwafrika chatroom on Friday Oct 9, 2009
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