Summer Quarter: Unit I, Lesson 3

Today, we celebrate fathers across the country. Many people approach Father’s Day with mixed or negative feelings. Many are grieved at the loss of a father who has passed away. Others are grieved by the memory of an absent father who abandoned them, or a present father who neglected or mistreated them. No father is perfect, but if you have known the love, support, and guidance of a biological father, adoptive father or stepfather, or another man who stepped up as a father-figure in your life, then you have a reason to be thankful. Regardless of your experience with an earthly father, everyone has the loving care of the heavenly Father, who watches over all His children.

Who are the men who have sown a blessing into your life? Pause and tell them thank you. Recall the neighbor, extended family member, teacher, coach, or minister who may have helped guide you along life’s journey. Remember those who spoke life to your spirit, encouraging you when others disappointed you. In our darkest moments of despair, God managed to send someone to give us the determination to keep moving forward, the focus to be still, or the courage to change for the better. The Bible commands us to give honor to whom it is due (see Romans 13:7) and to give particular honor to our fathers (see Exodus 20:12). Our heavenly Father blesses us by using the hands and hearts of those He brings into our lives.

Matthew 9 records the familiar story of a woman who struggled for twelve years with a costly, incurable medical condition. Finally finding herself in the presence of Jesus, the desperate woman reached out to touch the tasseled hem of His robe. Her reach was an expression of her strong faith in Jesus and His healing power. The tassel (tzitzit) of Jesus’ robe was a symbol of God’s commandments and a reminder to be holy (see Numbers 15:37-39).

The woman’s condition not only rendered her ritually unclean according to the Law but was also a source of shame and physical discomfort. Instead of transmitting her uncleanness to Jesus, the woman’s trusting touch invites Jesus to impart healing and transformation. She was willing to push past protocol and tradition to touch this sacred part of His garment (see Numbers 15:37-39) in hopes of laying hold of divine help for her desperate situation. Jesus’ acts of healing (the woman) and resurrecting (the girl) were not just personal but also restorative. Jesus restored both of them to resume life in their respective communities. The authority with which Jesus ministered often cast Him as a controversial figure, one that a leader of the synagogue might not be inclined to invite into his house. The fact that the synagogue leader seeks Jesus’ help revealed the man’s confidence and faith in Jesus’ power to heal. In the case of the woman and the synagogue ruler, faith was the key factor that allowed divine healing to occur. In today’s lesson, two people are healed. Both experiences captured by the writer, Matthew, show that miracles are possible to those who dare to trust in the Lord.

By Faith Go to Jesus (Matthew 9:18-19)

KJV

18 While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.

 

NIV

18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.”

19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.

Jesus was teaching His disciples by parable when one of the rulers of the local synagogue approached Him with a desperate request on behalf of his dying daughter (verse 18; Jairus—see Mark 5:21-22). The synagogue ruler knelt before Jesus in reverence, a bold statement of his regard for Jesus. The synagogue leader uttered his request in the very presence of local leaders who strongly opposed Jesus’ teachings and ministry. He specifically asked that Jesus come to his house and lay His hands upon his daughter who was already dead. The synagogue leader boldly acknowledged his belief that at the touch of Jesus, his daughter would live. Something about the request causes Jesus to immediately leave His discourse and follow the man (verse 19a). Those around, notably Jesus’ disciples, heard the request, noticed Jesus’ response, and followed Him to the man’s house (verse 19b). In the moment of personal crisis, the synagogue leader displayed an exemplary level of faith in the Lord’s power to transform his situation. Despite what his peers and colleagues might have thought or said, the leader of the synagogue was willing to risk it all to go to Jesus with his concern. It is important for us to realize that in Jesus’ hands there are no hopeless situations; there is no such thing as too late.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Describe a time when you faced a desperate challenge that only the Lord could handle. How did you respond?

 

By Faith Reach for Jesus (Matthew 9:20-22)

KJV

20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:

21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

 

NIV

20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak.

21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.

 

As Jesus, the disciples, and those gathered around headed to Jairus’s house, a woman who battled a prolonged bleeding disorder (verse 20) interrupted the processional. According to the Levitical Law, she was considered unclean and not allowed to participate in any community gatherings or religious services. Those who were classified as unclean were strictly forbidden from having a priest to lay hands on them. Having spent all her money wrestling with this disease for twelve long years, without improvement, the woman determined that she would make her way to Jesus and touch the hem of His garment (verse 20). Surely, the woman did not make her decision hastily or without serious consideration. She knew the consequences of being caught in public while ceremonially unclean—let alone touching a priest or rabbi. Knowing the consequences, the desperate woman made the difficult decision to approach Jesus and touch Him, believing by faith that if she could just reach Jesus, she would be made well (verse 21). The text reveals the woman’s confidence that she “would be” rather than “could be” made well. Her strong faith drove her to Jesus despite the possible risk and consequences of doing so. When she touched Jesus’ clothes, He immediately turned around to see the one who had touched Him with such purpose. Looking directly at the woman, He assured her that her faith had made her well (verse 22a). Immediately, the woman was healed from her disease. The anonymous woman was healed without further delay, complication, or expense. Her simple, yet bold, act of faith led to her full deliverance (verse 22b). The woman was totally healed—mind, body and soul—and was able to return to her family and community.

 

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Share a time when you went to extreme lengths to get closer to Jesus. How did it make you feel? What was the outcome?

 

By Faith Trust in Jesus (Matthew 9:23-26)

KJV

23 And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,

24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

25 But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. 26 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

 

NIV

23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes,

24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him.

25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.

26 News of this spread through all that region.

 

After taking time to minister to the woman, Jesus continued in the processional toward Jairus’s house. Upon arrival, Jesus saw the crowd of mourners who gathered at the ruler’s house (verse 23). They had come to acknowledge the girl’s death. Musicians and mourners were often paid to empathize or comfort the grieving family through the mourning process. Jesus told the people to give Him room—step aside or step away—for the young girl “is not dead but is asleep” (verse 24a). In response, those present laughed hysterically (verse 24b). They were so taken by Jesus’ statement that they went from mourning to laughing at Jesus’ ludicrous denial of the girl’s death. Jesus did not challenge those who mocked Him, but He dismissed them from the premises. Those with no faith would hinder Jesus’ work, so Jesus put them out of the house because going into girl’s room (verse 25a), Jesus did not follow a lengthy or complicated process. He simply took the young girl by the hand and spoke to her, commanding her to arise. At Jesus’ command, the girl immediately got up (verse 25b). While those who were in the house showed no signs of faith, it was Jairus’s faith to trust Jesus even in the presence of others’ doubt that allowed him to experience the miracle of his daughter’s resurrection. This miracle was so incredible that the report of what happened in his house that day spread throughout the region (verse 26).

 

WHAT DO YOU THINK? Share a time when all seemed lost and you trusted in Jesus against the odds. What is the greatest challenge of persevering in faith while you are surrounded by others’ doubt?

 

Miraculous healings happen all around us daily. Too often, we fail to share our greatest spiritual experiences with others. Many believers have known God to be a healer, deliverer, or miracle worker. Yet, in times of crises they can become so overwhelmed with the weight of the moment that they lose sight of the only one who can truly help them. Our challenge is to trust God in every aspect and moment of our lives. To do anything other than trust in the Lord can cause us to miss out on life-changing blessings.

The woman in the text wrestled with her medical condition for twelve years. What prolonged challenges have you wrestled with over time? What does it mean to trust God in the face of a persistent problem that you cannot solve or improve despite your best effort? Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead you and reveal the answer to your situation.

Think of someone you know who desperately needs God’s intervention in his or her situation. Connect with the person and agree to join your prayers with his or hers. Expect God to do what only He can.

Lord, help us to turn to You in every difficult moment. Teach us to live with bold faith, knowing that You are able to turn every situation in our lives around for our good and Your glory. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

While reading the background Scripture, consider this thought: “God does amazing feats.”

(June 21-27, 2021)
Why Do You Doubt?
MONDAY, June 21 “Let’s Sing of the Lord’s Faithfulness” (Isaiah 38:16-20)
TUESDAY, June 22 “The Baptist Dies for the Faith” (Matthew 14:1-12)
WEDNESDAY, June 23 “The Crowd’s Hunger Satisfied” (Matthew 14:13-21)
THURSDAY, June 24 “Believe the One Sent to You” (John 6:22-29)
FRIDAY, June 25 “The Sick Are Healed” (Matthew 14:34-36)
SATURDAY, June 26 “Speak Confidently to Civil Authorities” (Mark 13:9-12)
SUNDAY, June 27 “Savior of the Fearful, Doubter, Needy” (Matthew 14:22-33)