Faith

This Bible teaching, likely delivered by Matthew Vander Els, explores the concept of faith and its practical application in our everyday lives. It begins with an engaging anecdote about a family at the Dallas airport facing an unexpected disruption when their toddler wanders through a rotating door into the baggage claim area. This relatable scenario highlights how our well-laid plans can suddenly fall apart due to unforeseen circumstances, mirroring the challenges and anxieties we often encounter in life.

The teaching then delves into the nature of faith, suggesting that it is closely linked to security and trust. When we feel secure, it fosters trust in the source of that security. This trust, in turn, is fueled by faith and hope. The speaker raises a crucial question: can we truly trust God fully if we lack the foundation for that trust, and can we feel secure in His care if we do not wholeheartedly trust Him with our lives?

To illustrate this point, the teaching examines the biblical account of Peter walking on water in Matthew 14. Peter, feeling secure perhaps in his familiarity with boats, demonstrated faith by stepping out onto the water towards Jesus. However, when he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the turbulent waves, his fear overwhelmed his faith, and he began to sink. This narrative underscores the idea that our faith can waver when we lose sight of God and become consumed by the difficulties surrounding us, reminding us that our own sense of security (like Peter’s boat) can be a fragile foundation compared to faith in Jesus.

The speaker shares a personal experience of leaving a secure job at a hospital, a place where he had built a sense of value and control. This decision, prompted by a sense of divine calling, was initially exciting. However, as the distance from his former security grew, his faith was tested, revealing that its strength was perhaps not as robust as he had believed. This vulnerability highlights the reality that stepping out in faith often involves leaving behind our comfort zones and facing moments where our reliance on God is truly put to the test.

A significant portion of the teaching focuses on the story of the woman with the issue of blood in Mark 5. Suffering for twelve years and having exhausted all her resources on ineffective medical treatments, this woman had heard about Jesus. Driven by faith, she pressed through the crowd to touch the hem of His garment, believing that even this simple act would bring healing. Immediately, she felt healed. Jesus, sensing power leave Him, acknowledged her faith as the source of her wholeness.

The teaching emphasizes the cultural significance of the hem of a garment in the Near East during that time. The outer garment represented a person’s social status, and the hem often served as a place to keep valuable possessions like land deeds and seals. Grasping the hem of someone’s garment was an act of submission and signified entering into a form of covenant with that person, recognizing their authority and seeking their favor. Examples from Babylonian and Assyrian inscriptions further illustrate this practice. Even the tearing of Saul’s garment by David was a significant act with symbolic implications.

This understanding sheds light on the woman’s action. By touching the hem of Jesus’ garment, she was not merely seeking physical contact; she was making a profound statement of faith, acknowledging Jesus as her authority and entering into a covenant relationship with Him. The hem of the garment is also connected to the tassels, or tzitzit, commanded in Numbers 15. These tassels with a blue cord were to serve as a constant reminder of God’s commandments and the covenant between God and His people. The blue thread symbolized royalty, signifying that Israel was a nation of the King.

The “issue of blood” is then broadened to represent the various issues we face in our lives – physical, financial, social, and spiritual. Just as the woman found relief by falling at the feet of Jesus, the teaching suggests that seeking Him is the primary path to finding resolution for our own issues. The act of touching the hem, signifying submission and covenant, is presented as a representation of the gospel: proclaiming Jesus as King and believing in His resurrection leads to salvation and wholeness.

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Application for Everyday Life

• Recognize that unexpected disruptions are part of life: Just like the airport scenario, life will throw curveballs. Our response should be to lean on faith rather than solely on our plans.
• Understand the connection between security, trust, and faith: Examine where you place your security and whether it truly fosters trust in God.
• Keep your focus on Jesus during difficulties: Like Peter, when we focus on our problems instead of God, our faith can falter.
• Be willing to step out of your comfort zone in faith: God may call you to leave behind familiar securities to walk towards Him.
• Approach Jesus with a heart of submission and covenant: Like the woman with the issue of blood, acknowledging Jesus’ authority and seeking a relationship with Him is key to healing and wholeness.
• Trust God even when the details of His plan are unclear: He has a plan for you, even if you don’t know all the specifics.
• Practice not worrying and rely on God’s provision: Focus on God’s care for you rather than being consumed by anxieties about the future.
• Offer your entire life to God: Don’t hold back any areas from His influence and work.
• Turn to God for healing and resolution of your “issues”: Resist the urge to rely solely on worldly solutions or unhealthy coping mechanisms.
• Avoid “limping between two opinions”: Make a decisive choice to follow God fully rather than being swayed by the false securities of the world.
• Seek comfort and strength in God during times of trouble: Remember the promises found in Psalms like Psalm 20.
• Combine knowledge of Scripture with active faith: Don’t let studying God’s Word become a substitute for trusting and relying on Him.

References

Bible Verses

• Matthew 14
• Mark 5
• Numbers 15
• Matthew 6:25-34
• 1 Kings 18
• Psalm 20

Books and Resources Mentioned

• John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
• rootedintory.com by Ryan White
• Ancient Significance by Ferris Stephens
• The Bible