Spurgeon Morning and Evening February 14 PM

Biblical Context

The Gospel of Luke, from which our scripture reference Luke 8:47 is drawn, is unique among the synoptic Gospels for its comprehensive, orderly account of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Written by Luke, a Gentile physician and companion of the Apostle Paul, this Gospel is characterized by its meticulous historical research, its emphasis on Jesus’ compassion for the marginalized, women, and the poor, and its universal appeal. Luke presents Jesus as the Son of Man, the perfect embodiment of humanity, whose saving work extends to all people, not just the Jewish nation. His Gospel begins with a dedication to ‘most excellent Theophilus,’ suggesting a desire to provide a well-attested, reliable narrative of Christian origins. The particular miracle we are considering, the healing of the woman with an issue of blood, appears in Luke 8:43-48, nestled within a larger narrative about Jairus’s daughter. This placement highlights Jesus’ ability to minister simultaneously to different needs, and Luke’s account, perhaps due to his medical background, gives particular attention to the woman’s suffering and immediate healing, underscoring the authenticity and power of Christ’s touch.

Key Word Study

The Greek word for ‘healed’ in Luke 8:47 is ἰάομαι (iaomai). This verb signifies to cure, to heal, to make whole, or to restore. It speaks to a complete and effective restoration from sickness or injury, not merely a suppression of symptoms. In the context of the New Testament, ἰάομαι often carries spiritual connotations as well, referring to spiritual healing and salvation. When Luke writes that the woman ‘was healed immediately,’ the use of ἰάομαι emphasizes the instantaneous and comprehensive nature of her cure. Her long-standing affliction was not just alleviated but entirely eradicated, a testament to the sovereign power of Christ. This word underscores the miraculous and undeniable reality of the transformation she experienced, both physically and spiritually, at the very moment of her faith-filled touch.

The Touching and Teaching Miracle

One of the most touching and teaching of the Saviour’s miracles is before us to-night. This narrative of the woman with the issue of blood, embedded within Luke’s Gospel, stands as a profound illustration of faith, compassion, and the boundless grace of Jesus. It is touching because it reveals the desperate plight of a woman ostracized by society and suffering for twelve long years, finding a beacon of hope in Jesus. It is teaching because it unveils the transformative power of faith, even when mingled with ignorance, and illuminates the true character of our benevolent Saviour.

The Woman’s Ignorance and Misconception

The woman was very ignorant. She had a fundamental misunderstanding of how divine power operated. She imagined that virtue came out of Christ by a law of necessity, without His knowledge or direct will. Her thinking was akin to a magical belief, where a mere physical contact with a sacred person or object would automatically impart healing, rather than recognizing the conscious and intentional will of a personal God. Moreover, she was a stranger to the generosity of Jesus’ character. Had she truly grasped the depth of His compassion and willingness to give, she would not have gone behind to steal the cure which He was so ready to bestow. Her clandestine approach, born of shame and perhaps a fear of rejection, revealed her limited view of Jesus’ magnanimous nature.

Misery in the Face of Mercy

Misery should always place itself right in the face of mercy. This profound truth is highlighted by the woman’s initial approach. Had she known the love of Jesus’ heart, she would have said, “I have but to put myself where He can see me—His omniscience will teach Him my case, and His love at once will work my cure.” Instead, her ignorance led her to seek healing in a way that circumvented direct interaction, hoping to slip away unnoticed. While we admire her faith, which was undeniably potent, we marvel at her ignorance regarding the boundless grace that Jesus consistently displayed. She underestimated the King of Kings, thinking she needed to trick Him into blessing her, rather than recognizing His eager desire to bless all who come to Him.

Rejoicing with Trembling: A Flawed Understanding of Grace

After she had obtained the cure, she rejoiced with trembling. Her initial reaction was a complex mix of gladness and fear. Glad was she that the divine virtue had wrought a marvel in her; the pain, the isolation, the constant drain of her life’s blood – all gone in an instant. But she feared lest Christ should retract the blessing, and put a negative upon the grant of His grace. This lingering apprehension revealed that little did she comprehend the fulness of His love! She couldn’t conceive of a love so complete, so unconditional, that once given, it would never be withdrawn. Her trembling underscored a widespread human failing: to project our own limited capacity for generosity and forgiveness onto the infinite character of God, leading us to doubt His steadfast love.

The Unwavering Nature of Divine Love

It is true that we have not so clear a view of Him as we could wish; we know not the heights and depths of His love in its entirety. Our finite minds struggle to fully grasp the infinite. However, we know of a surety that He is too good to withdraw from a trembling soul the gift which it has been able to obtain. The very nature of God, revealed through Jesus Christ, is one of unwavering faithfulness and perfect generosity. Once He bestows a blessing, particularly salvation and healing rooted in genuine faith, it is a permanent endowment, not a temporary loan subject to retraction. This truth brings immense comfort to those who, like the woman, may feel their faith is too small or their understanding too flawed.

The Marvel of Real Faith

But here is the marvel of it: little as was her knowledge, her faith, because it was real faith, saved her, and saved her at once. This is the profound paradox and the central teaching of this account. Her theological understanding was imperfect; her approach was flawed; her subsequent fear was unnecessary. Yet, her *faith*, genuine and desperate, reached out and connected with the divine power. There was no tedious delay—faith’s miracle was instantaneous. This emphasizes that salvation and divine intervention are not contingent upon perfect theological comprehension or flawless execution, but upon the sincerity and reality of one’s faith, however small or unrefined it may appear.

Instantaneous and Eternal Possession

If we have faith as a grain of mustard seed, salvation is our present and eternal possession. Jesus Himself taught that even the smallest amount of genuine faith can move mountains. The woman’s faith, though perhaps only a “grain of mustard seed” compared to what it could have been, was real and active, producing an immediate and complete miracle. This extends to our salvation as well: the moment genuine faith is exercised, salvation becomes an instantaneous reality and an eternal possession. It is not a future hope but a present truth.

Security in Salvation

Furthermore, if in the list of the Lord’s children we are written as the feeblest of the family, yet, being heirs through faith, no power, human or devilish, can eject us from salvation. This provides incredible assurance for the believer. Our security in Christ does not depend on our strength, our intellect, or our perfect understanding, but on the unshakeable foundation of Christ’s finished work and our adoptive status as His heirs through faith. No external force, no internal doubt, can sever us from the grip of His eternal love and salvation. Our inheritance is secure.

Courage for the Timid Soul

If we dare not lean our heads upon His bosom with John, yet if we can venture in the press behind Him, and touch the hem of his garment, we are made whole. This analogy powerfully encourages those who feel unworthy or timid to approach Christ directly. We may not feel as intimately connected or as confident as a disciple like John, but even a humble, desperate touch of faith, like that of the suffering woman, is enough to receive complete healing and wholeness. Courage, timid one! thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. This direct address from Spurgeon echoes Jesus’ own words to the woman, offering comfort and affirmation. Our salvation brings more than just freedom from disease; it ushers in profound spiritual peace.

Justified by Faith, Peace with God

This peace is not merely the absence of conflict but a profound reconciliation. As the Apostle Paul declares in Romans 5:1, “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God.” This verse perfectly encapsulates the spiritual outcome of the woman’s physical healing and Jesus’ declaration. Through faith, we are declared righteous in God’s sight, and this justification removes the barrier of sin, establishing a lasting and unbreakable peace with our Creator. The timid soul, finding courage to simply touch, finds not only healing but eternal reconciliation and profound peace with God, a peace that transcends all understanding and endures for all eternity.