17-10-2021 The Blessing of True Peace and Eternal Life

Title: The Blessing of True Peace and Eternal Life

Mat 4:12 says that because John the Baptist was imprisoned, Jesus withdrew into Galilee. Verse 13 says more preciously that Jesus left Nazareth and moved to Capernaum: As Jesus is known as the Jesus of Nazareth, it is the place where Joseph and Marry settled after returning from Egypt when King Herod tried to kill the baby Jesus. Now, when Jesus began His ministry, the base location Jesus settled was Capernaum which is close to the Sea of Galilee.

Because Jesus performed healings, many came to Jesus to listen to Him and to be healed. Jesus left Capernaum and went to the opposite side of the Sea of Galilee. Mark 5:1-20 recorded about the story that Jesus met the man with unclean spirit called Army and cast out demons from him. However, the people there didn’t want Jesus to stay. Thus, Jesus came back to Capernaum (Mrk 5:21; Mat 9:1).

Mark 5:22-24 explains that at Capernaum, the synagogue officials, Jairus, was waiting for Jesus because his daughter was dying. Jesus decided to help him and save the daughter. So, He was going to Jairus’ house. Mark 5:35-43 records the story of Jesus healing this daughter.

Today’s main story regarding healing of the woman with haemorrhage happened in such a moment when Jesus was on the way to Jairus’ house. Firstly, we can see that to heal the woman with haemorrhage wasn’t the main event that was planned. For a synagogue official coming to Jesus in today’s term, it’s like a minister or a mayor coming to TLCC to bring you to his house: this is a big event and it could be a major event of that day. Jesus also decided to go and help the daughter of Jairus. How much courage did she need to come near and touch the garment of Jesus?

Secondly, according to the Law of Moses, woman with blood is considered unclean and she is not allowed to come to the temple or to synagogue or to the midst of community. For 12 years, she was not able to come to the church. For 12 years, she couldn’t have the proper life. She couldn’t walk properly due to the pain she had. So, as she crawled to Jesus, she could be bumped, pushed and trampled by others. Yet, she couldn’t say a word because she wasn’t welcome there.

Jesus is the sign of love and sign of all forgiving. However, she couldn’t show herself even to Jesus. How difficult and miserable the life must be for her that she couldn’t open up herself to Jesus. Yet, when she touched Jesus’ cloak from behind secretly, Jesus felt that the power went out from Him. Jesus stopped and looked around and asked who touched Him. The disciples said, “there are so many people here and most of them perhaps touched you. How can you ask to identify the one who touched you?”

Not only Jesus felt that the power went out from Him, but the woman also felt that she was healed of her affliction. As Jesus was looking around, she knew she couldn’t hide herself anymore, she told Jesus the whole thing. Then, Jesus said “Your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” What kind of faith did she have?

Mark 5:28 For she thought, “If I just touch His garments, I shall get well.”

Please have the faith like this woman today. Please have the faith that if we touch Jesus’ garment, or if He touches us once, we will be healed and delivered from all the troubles we have.

The blessing we will receive when we put our faith in Jesus

• Peace

Mark 5:34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith have made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your afflection.”

According to Greek, ‘Go in peace’ literally means ‘Go into peace’, ‘Go to peace’, ‘Go and reach peace.’ It means peace was given to her because she believes in Jesus.

There are many things that make us worry in this world, but our Father God gives us peace (Jhn 14:27), and He will lead us to peace that this world cannot give. This is what PKCI means, Peace no. 1 church. As we pray, God will make us to become a man of peace and the church of peace.

(2) Eternal life

Mrk 5:34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”

Greek word for ‘made you well’ is ‘swvzw (Sozo)’ which means ‘to save, to keep safe.’ It shows that Jesus didn’t only give her the healing of her body but also the salvation of her soul. ‘Peace’ means ‘rest, oneness.’

Labour and toil came to human being as the result of the Fall (Gen 3:17). Peace symbolizes the rest we had before the Fall. Also, the separation from God is the result of sin. Peace symbolizes the oneness we had with God before the Fall. Therefore, peace in the end symbolizes salvation and eternal life.

To those who have faith in Jesus, God allow them to move on to peace, to reconcile with God and to live eternally with God. Let’s put our hope in Jesus, let’s put our entire faith in Jesus, so that we may be granted to move forward to peace and eternal life. Amen!