HomeProphecySeek the Giver, not the Gift!

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Seek the Giver, not the Gift! — 5 Comments

  1. I’m reminded of the woman with the issue of blood. The bible says she “She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition. (‭Mark‬ ‭5‬:‭26-29‬ NLT)
    Under Jewish law, she would have been considered unclean. “If a woman has a flow of blood for many days that is unrelated to her menstrual period, or if the blood continues beyond the normal period, she is ceremonially unclean. As during her menstrual period, the woman will be unclean as long as the discharge continues. (‭Leviticus‬ ‭15‬:‭25‬ NLT).
    Under the law she would would die, for for her impurity would “defile my Tabernacle that stands among them…”(‭Leviticus‬ ‭15‬:‭31-33‬ NLT)

    But Jesus didn’t condemn her for her touch and obviously wasn’t defiled.But HEALED her and BLESSED her! “And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.” (‭Mark‬ ‭5‬:‭34‬ NLT)

    My question to you today is : did she desire the gift or the giver? The bible said “She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe.” (‭Mark‬ ‭5‬:‭27‬ NLT) She heard of Him, not that she displayed great desire for him, for she tried to discreetly touch him and depart. If she wanted Him(the giver) wouldn’t she have hung around to be near him or at least openly asked for his healing? So let ‘s look at Jesus and his response to this! Jesus looked for her after feeling her touch of faith, and asked “Who touched me?” Why did He do that? He wanted her to know he freely gave her this healing and wanted her to see His loving face. Under law, we only see his back to us. We can’t fulfill the law and neither can we recieve favor from God trying to fulfil the law. The lady with the issue of blood was condemned by the law for it declared her unclean. The law could not help or heal but could only show her that she was unclean. Moses, giver of the law couldn’t see The Lord’s face, though he did mighty miracles through God. The bible says Moses couldn’t see His face: The LORD replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose. But you may not look directly at my face, for no one may see me and live.” (‭Exodus‬ ‭33‬:‭19-20‬ NLT) Under law this woman couldn’t touch another person without defiling them but under grace she is made clean by trusting in Jesus’s righteousness. Brothers and Sisters, grace is being given freely, let us not exchange this marvelous grace that makes us right with God for the law! Let us encourage each other to reach out and touch Our Lord and recieve the righteousness He freely wants to give. Look not at yourself but look at Jesus like the woman with the issue of blood. Her focus was “if I just touch the hem of his garment” . She didn’t look at herself or her motives but drew near to The Lord for victory! Let us encourage each other to do the same when in need . He will never turn you away. So let us follow the Savior’s lead! Bless you church family!

  2. Thank you, Angus. Jesus is my savior, I do want to serve Him. It’s hard when one deals with sickness. I have talents and want to honor Him. This is scary though. Does this fear mean I have offended God? I do beg for mercy and submit to Him.

    • Dear H,
      The general wisdom is that if the Lord is correcting you, He will correct and it will be with a very specific focus, so you will know exactly what to repent of or to change.  By contrast, if the enemy is attacking you, it will be a general condemnation to make you feel guilty – with no real focus.
      I pray this helps.
      Blessings in Christ,
      Angus

  3. This sounds very scary. I’ve dealt with family issues, sickens for years and have called for prayer. I do want to serve God and keep seemingly held back from work that I thought God called me to do. I do need healing a real cure for auto-immune diseases. I’ve felt under attack for years. I was mad at God this summer and confess. I beg the Lord for mercy because others my age are married, healthy and I been struggling, in poverty. Does this mean I can never listen to any songs but the bible? Does this mean I can’t write stories for God? It is scary word. I do need healing to serve the Lord. How will I know if its for me or not? I’ve had friends move away, been betrayed. I have come back to God. I wish I had a good year without worry of sickness all that. I do want to serve God.

    • Dear H,
      Thanks for your comment.
      Matthew 6:33 says “…seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”
      I believe this scripture is related to the above and your comment.
      Religion seeks to control us and change us from the outside-in, while relationship with Jesus, changes us from the inside-out.
      I would also bring to you the scripture of 1 Corinthians 10:23 which says “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify,” again, relating to how we lead our lives for Christ.
      I pray this helps your understanding.
      We shall be praying for you in the meantime.
      Blessings in Christ,
      Angus