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In His Service,

Christian, Amit.

BibleSEO EditorMore Bible Studies:

• Bible Study Updates from BibleSEO
• Over Half a Million Page Views
• Exclusive: Christian Web and New Media Award 2009 Runner Up
• Jesus Christ – The Cornerstone of the Church
• Blessed are Pure in Heart – Beatitudes – Part 6 of 8

“Blessed is the Man” bible study guide on Psalm 1 explores the contrast between the way of the righteous and the wicked. The participant study guide can be downloaded here.

Q. What actions are not associated with the righteous man (person) in v 1, 2?

• The righteous man does not walk – in the counsel of the wicked.
• He does not stand – in the paths (ways) of the sinners.
• He does not sit – in the seats of mockers.
• He does not participate in the sinful acts of others. It does not mean he does not associate or talk with them.

Q. What was Jesus accused of, in Matthew 9:10, 11 and Matthew 11:19?

• Jesus was accused many times by the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law as a friend of tax collectors and sinners, who spent lot of his time with them. ( also check out The Scribes Questions Jesus’ Authority)

Q. Compare Psalms 1:1-2 with Matthew 9:10,11 and 11:19? how to follow instruction given in Psalms 1:1-2?

• It means that the righteous,
• Must not follow (walk) the counsel of the wicked.
• Must not participate (stand) in the sinful acts of wicked.
• Must not join (sit) with the  mockers.
• Even though Jesus spent a lot of time with the sinners and tax collectors, His presence brought light and redemption (salvation) in those dark places and lives.

What is the joy of a righteous man?

• To meditate on the Word of the Lord day and night.
• To learn and obey the word of God. (How to do daily Quiet Time)

Q. What are the characteristics of the tree planted by the rivers (streams) of the water?

• It is alive and gives us food, shelter and is useful in many other ways.
• Its leaves do not wither. (No fall!)
• It gets the nourishment from water. Its roots are planted near source of life, water.
• It bears fruits in an appropriate season. (The fruits are useful for others not for its own.)

Q. How does the example for the of tree relate to the righteous person?

• He is always growing the the Lord, rooted in the firm foundation of the Word of God. (Ephesians 3:17)
• He bears much fruits. (John 15:8 – “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”)
• Galatians 5: 22 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.”

Q. What are the characteristics of chaff?

• Aimless, Directionless, without purpose. It is of no use.

Q What is the destiny of the wicked described in v. 5-6?

• They will not stand in the judgment of God.
• They will not sit in the assembly of righteous.
• They will be perished.

Application Questions:

1. How is your standing in the judgment of God? Have you received Christ and His righteousness?
2. Are you firmly rooted in the word of God? (Ephesians 3: 17)
3. Do you meditate on the Word of God every day?
4. D0 you manifest the fruit of the spirit? (Galatians 5:22)

 More Bible Studies:

• Jesus and Beelzebub – Mark 3:20-30 | Bible Study
• John the Baptist in the Wilderness – Matthew 3:1-12
• Who is the Holy Spirit: Bible Doctrine
• Blessed are the Merciful | Beatitudes Bible Study | 5 of 8
• Christian Discipleship: Definition | Cost of Discipleship

This bible devotional describes bible verses for trusting the Lord with various practical areas of our life. As you read, reflect on the question and bible verse for each of these areas.

Do I trust in the Lord…

More Bible Studies:

• Paul’s Thorn in the Flesh – 2 Cor 12:7-10 | Bible Study
• Struggle with Sin in the Life of Christian
• Jesus Calming the Storm – Bible Lesson
• The Doctrine of Trinity
• Jesus Heals the Woman with Blood Issue

Bible Study on Joshua 1:1-9 – Biblical Principle of Prosperity and Success

Q) What are the keys to prosperity and success, according to you?

• Hard work
• Self-motivation
• Power
• Influence
• Relentless desire and drive to succeed.

This bible study guide on Joshua 1:6-9 explores the key principles to the success and prosperity according to Bible. The participant study guide can be downloaded from here. Read Joshua 1: 1-9, we will focus our study on 1:6-9.

Q) Read Joshua 1:1-5. What is the background of this event?

• The Israelites were finally at the bank of Jordan river ready to enter the promise land, after wandering in the wilderness for 40 years.
• Moses, the great leader of Israel was dead. (Joshua 1:1)
• God had previously chosen Joshua to be the successor of Moses. (Numbers 27: 18-23) He was about the lead the Israelite into the promise land.

Q) Which of the command did the Lord God give to Joshua three times?

• “Be strong and Courageous.” (v. 6, 7, 9)

Q) What do you think about Joshua’s mindset from this passage?

• He may be overwhelmed by the occasion, terrified at the thought of leading the Israelites.
• He had been the apprentice of Moses. He had seen how Moses dealt with the people. He had seen the constant threats from the outside and continuous grumbling and complaints from within. Perhaps it was first time, it dawned on him that he was going to lead these people to the promise land.

Q) What commands did the Lord God give to Joshua? (Identify the commands with “to be” or “not to be”.)

• Be strong and courageous to lead these people.
• Be careful to obey all the Law of Moses.
• Do not be terrified and discouraged.
• Do not let the book of the Law depart from your mouth.
• Meditate on it day and night.
• Be careful to do everything written in it.

Q) What promises did the Lord God give to Joshua?

• I will never leave you nor forsake you. (v.5)
• The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (v. 5, 9)

Q) What are the conditions to success and prosperity according to verse 7, 8?

• Obey the word of God wholeheartedly.
• Do not turn from it to the right or to the left. Do not compromise on the word of God.
• Keep the word of God (bible) always on your lips. Memorize it. Immerse yourself with the word of God.
• Meditate on it day and night. This means not only read but study the bible.
• If you follow the above conditions, “then you will be prosperous and successful.” (v.8)

Q) What are the practical tips on these biblical principles?

We all want to be successful in what we do. Verse 7 & 8 describes some of the conditions to be successful in our life. But you may be wondering, how can I meditate on the word of God day and night, my schedule is too busy, there are too many things on my plate, I hardly find time for myself. How can I spend this much of time in Bible? Here are some of the practical tips for getting immersed with the word of God in your busy schedule.

Meditate:

• Take at least 10-15 minutes to do your daily quiet time. There is no alternative to it. If Jesus could spare some time from his busy schedule to be with His Father, we all can do too. (Here is a simple guide on how to do your quiet time.)
• If you commute, get the Bible on Audio and hear it on your way to work. (It is ok not to hear Christian music radio every once in a while.) In fact, you can have bible on audio pretty much anywhere. (There are some great dramatized audio bible available on Amazon.)
• For those of you with smart phones, you can download some free apps which sends you bible verses daily.
• Above all these tips, the old-fashioned Bible, notebook and coffee approach in your study closet always works.

Memorize:

• Think of at least one verse that you can remember from every book of Bible (first from NT and then from OT). That is the total of 66 bible verses! You may say I am not good at memorizing. With little bit of creativity, we can do so. ( If we can remember the stock prices or sports score or shopping list or home or TV schedule, we can remember the bible verses too!)
• Start your day with writing a bible verse in your daily calendar or schedule.
• Help your kids to memorize some bible verses. (It will also force you to memorize as well.) Have a fun Bible memory verse competition in your family.

These are some of the tips that we have discovered over time. Please share/comment any practical tips you may have about meditating/memorizing the word of God, and we will add here to the list.

To summarize these, the keys to success and prosperity are not hard work or self-driven life or anything else, but it is the continual, ever growing, daily fellowship with God through His Words and if you follow these timeless biblical principles, you will be Prosperous and Successful.More Bible Studies:

• The Life of Moses: Biblical Character
• Christian Discipleship: Definition | Cost of Discipleship
• Fellowship with God – Bible Study on 1 John: 5-10
• How to Overcome Temptation
• Blessed is the Man – Psalms 1 Bible Study

Bible Study Lesson:

Matthew 1:18-25

“This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:  “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.”

Q. What can you learn about Joseph from this passage?

• Joseph was righteous man.
• He was considerate and compassionate to Marry, his fiancée. When he heard about Mary, he decided to divorce her privately, in spite of disappointment and heart break.
• He was obedient to the voice of God. He must have very clear, powerful revelation from God.

Q. Visualize the state of mind of Joseph and Mary from this passage.

• Joseph – Doubt, disappointment, heartbreak, shame
• Mary – Fear, shame, public disgrace (In  eastern culture, it will be life long shame.)

Q. What was the Joseph’s dream about?

• The contents of his dream were very clear, he was commanded by the Angel of God,  ( Check out Angels and Demons – Biblical perspective).
• Not to be afraid
• To take Mary as his wife
• To give son a name, Jesus ( meaning: ‘Lord Saves’)
• His dream changed his perspective.
• His dream was very elaborate. It was about Holy Spirit (v20), saving people from their sins (v21).
• Even before the birth of Jesus, Joseph and Mary knew that Jesus was not an ordinary person.
• It is not clear if Joseph knew the context of the Old Testament prophecy fulfillment,  weather he understood the true identity of this child, weather he fully comprehended the meaning of ‘saving people from their sins, or what it means to be born of virgin and conceived by Holy spirit’. (Not even Jesus’ disciples fully realized who Jesus was, until they found a new help after His death and resurrection, “Holy Spirit”.)
• Joseph on his part, was faithful and obedient to the voice of God, he did what the Lord had commanded him to do.
• Gospels do not talk about Joseph much after the birth of Jesus. But in these few passages, we find Joseph to be a good husband and a father, caregiver, honest, obedient, faithful and wise man.
• We may also not fully understand (rationally or logically) the virgin birth or many mysteries of God, but we need to surrender to the will of God, trust him and be obedient to him. (Check out: Trust in the Lord – Bible Verses)

Key verse of Joseph’s life:

“He did what the Lord had commanded him.” (Mat 1:24)More Bible Studies:

• Three Magi’s Visit to King of the Jews – Matthew 2:1-12 | Bible Lesson
• Jesus’ Genealogy in the Bible – Matthew 1:1-17 | Bible Study
• Joseph: Bible Character Study
• 9 Ways God Speak to His People in Bible
• Miracle of Jesus at Cana Wedding – John 2:1-11 | Bible Study

Bible Study Lesson:

• Mark 11:27-33
• Matthew 21:23-27
• Luke 20:1-8

Background:

• Mark 11:27 starts with ‘they arrived in Jerusalem again.” If we check the background of this event, there had been significant drama already played in Jerusalem in last few days. Let us look at last three days of Jesus.
• Day 1:
  • Jesus arrived in Jerusalem from Bethany. (Mark 11:1-10) This was his last week before crucification. He entered Jerusalem and was greeted by people as a ‘great messiah’, it was a triumphant entry.
  • On that day, he observed all that was going on in the temple, and went back with his disciples to Bethany. (Mark 11:11)
• Day 2:
  • Next day (Mark 11:12), Jesus on his way to Jerusalem, he passed by fig tree, when he did not find any fruit on fig tree, he cursed the tree. It was a visual parable for the disciples regarding the ‘barrenness of Israel’.  (Also check, bible study on Parable of Wedding Feast)
  • He then went to the temple in Jerusalem and drove out all the merchants and money changers. (Mk 11:15-18)
• Day 3:
  • Next day, disciples, on their way to Jerusalem, noticed that the fig tree was withered to its root (Mk 11:20)
  • Finally they arrived again in Jerusalem (v. 27). And were confronted by the chief priests and scribes in the temple courts.
  • By this time, the chief priests and scribes were already indignant by Jesus’ lack of respect of their ‘authority’, and were plotting to somehow trap him and kill him!

Q. Where was Bethany?

• Bethany was situated about 2 miles SE of Jerusalem, on the mount of Olives. (John 11:18)
• Meaning of Bethany: ‘house of unripe figs’!
• Home of Lazarus and his sisters Mary and Martha (Jn 11:1-2)
• Home of Simon the leper, where Jesus attended the feast of unleavened bread (Mark 14:1,3)
• It was around the city of Bethany, Jesus ascended into heaven. (Luke 24:50-51)

Q. Who were the scribes (Teachers of the Law)?

• Experts in the Law, whose profession was the systematic study and exposition of the Law
• Scribes were also called ‘teachers of the Law’.
• They often associated themselves with the Pharisees. (Mt 5:20, Mk 7:5, etc)
• They had developed and added many traditions and practices to the requirements of the Law, to insure sanctity of the Law. (Mk 7:3) These teachings were called ‘the traditions of the elders’. (Matthew 15:2-6)
• Jesus accused them for loading the common people with the “burdens that they can hardly carry.” (Luke 11:46)
• Scribes closely observed Jesus’ activities and ministry. And when Jesus refused to follow their traditions, they fiercely opposed him and tried to trap /kill him. (John 5:10-18, Mark 7:1-13)

Q. What questions did the Chief priests and the teachers of the Law ask to Jesus?

1. By What authority are you doing ‘these things’?
2. Who gave you authority to do this?

Q. What do their questions imply? What were the ‘things’ Jesus doing?

• Chief priests were the recognized authority in the matters of the temple, they allowed the money changers and traders to be in the temple courts. So when Jesus cleared the temple by driving out money changers, without their (chief priests) permission, it ticked them off.
• They assumed that Jesus did not possess any authority. They implied, “we did not give you this authority, then how can you do this?”

Q. What was so unique about Jesus’ reply?

• Jesus was not shaken by this sudden confrontation. He did not step back or withdraw himself. But he answered their question with a counter-question.
• Jesus’ question to them was, “who gave authority to John the baptist to baptize people? was it from men or from heaven (God)? (Ministry of John the Baptist)
• By his question, he took the matter to the objective level, Jesus indirectly asked, “Who ultimately gives the authority?”
• (So often, when we are confronted with some fundamental question about our belief, we try to defend ourselves by giving reasons after reasons, or plainly withdraw from the scene. But, asking a counter-question is an excellent way of shifting the focus from subjective level to the objective level.)

Q. What was the high priests’ response?

• They were baffled by this intelligent counter-attack.
• Their answer, “we do not know”, reflects their state of mind, they did not want to admit their failure, and at the same time, they wanted to please people also. So they stepped back by avoiding to answer.
• Jesus however, did not reply, “even I do not know!”, he replied, “I will not tell.”
• Jesus did not answer to them, but he did answer to his disciples. Matthew 28:18 – “Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (John 17:1-2, John 5:26-27)

Applications:

• How do you respond when you face confrontation?
• What do you think, Jesus’ authority is from?

More Bible Studies:

• Three Magi’s Visit to King of the Jews – Matthew 2:1-12 | Bible Lesson
• Jesus and Beelzebub – Mark 3:20-30 | Bible Study
• Jesus Feeding the 5000 | Bible Study
• Rich Young Ruler and Jesus | Mark 10:17-27
• Jesus’ Disciples Names: List, Meaning and Occupation

Bible Study Lesson:

Proverbs 12: 1-28

What are the characteristics of wise man according to Proverbs 12?

• Ready to accept criticism
• Ready to admit correction
• His plans are just
• Built his house on rock, strong foundation
• He cares for the needs of his animals!
• Knows how to escape from trouble
• Ready to listen to advice
• He overlooks the insult
• His testimonies are true – Trustworthy
• His speech brings healing
• Joy in his heart
• Keeps his knowledge to himself, ?? uses wisely!
• Diligent
• Disciplined
• He is cautious in his friendship
• His ways lead to life and immortality

Ask yourself following questions, and think of any situations in which you acted in certain ways.

• How do I react to criticism? (Positive or negative)
• Do I admit mistakes and accept corrections?
• How do I plan my daily activities? (Keep it to last moment!)
• What is the basis or motivation of my actions? (Why do I do what I do?)
• Do I take counsel for important decisions?
• How do I react to insult?
• Am I trustworthy to others?
• How do I make friends?
• Am I a good administrator of my time? (Diligence and Discipline)
• Also check out: Proverbs – The Navigators

More Bible Studies:

• How to Lead Small Group – Practical Guide
• Discover God’s Will – Practical Preparation
• Blessed are the Peacemakers – Beatitudes Bible Study Series | Part 7 of 8
• How to Overcome Temptation
• Sexuality, Spirituality and Overcoming Sexual Temptations

Bible Study Passages:

• Mark 5: 21-24, 35-43
• Luke 8: 40-42, 49-56
• Matthew 9: 18-26

Jesus’ home town, Capernaum:

• Capernaum was situated on the sea of Galilee in a populated area.
• It was a wealthy city due to fishing and trade.
• It was a base of Jesus’ early ministry.
• The city had Roman garrison which maintained peace in the region. The city was a cultural melting pot, greatly influenced by Greek and Roman manners, dress, architecture and politics.

Office of Ruler of Synagogue:

• Synagogue was the local Jewish Center of worship.
• Ruler of synagogue was responsible for administration, building, maintenance, supervision of worship.
• The rulers of synagogue had close ties with the Pharisees. So it was quite unusual for Jairus to go to Jesus and fall at his feet for healing of his daughter.

What can we learn from Jairus from these passages?

• He was a ruler of synagogue.
• He was a humble man.
• He loved his only daughter.
• He believed that Jesus could heal his ailing daughter.

What do you think would be Jairus’ state of mind when he heard that his daughter had just passed away?

• Broken hearted
• There was a huge crowd to see Jesus; he somehow got to meet Jesus. He would have thought, “I could have come earlier, just not in time.”
• At this time it did not occur to him that Jesus could raise the dead.
• Jairus and the people around Jesus had just witnessed one of the most extraordinary act of faith and God’s power on display. They saw a miraculous healing of a woman with bleeding related illness.
• Jairus would have been greatly encouraged to witness such a great healing. He would be confident that Jesus could heal his daughter as well. Just then, he heard the news of his daughter’s death. He would have been devastated.
• We often experience God’s power on display followed by moments of crisis.
• In such moments, we need to “Just believe. And have faith in Jesus Christ.”
• Jesus affirmed his faith in this time of crisis, saying, (v-50) “Don’t be afraid, don’t doubt, Just believe.”
• We often feel that God has abandoned us, he is no longer with us. But in such times God continues to encourage and uplift us to have faith.
• Faith is to see beyond the circumstances.
• Hebrews 11:1 – “Now faith is a confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
• Hebrews 11: 6 – “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
• The fact that they started heading towards Jairus’ home shows that Jairus agreed to Jesus, He kept the faith.
• Perhaps, those few moments (steps) would be hardest for him. He now knew that his beloved daughter was dead.
• He would have many questions, raw emotions, but Jesus was right with him.
• He held on to the promise of Jesus, that if he just believes, his daughter will be healed.
• He kept hope against all hope.

Why did Jesus insist to keep faith?

• Faith is the essential part of healing.
• In order to receive healing, we must first believe that he can heal us.
• It is the simple, childlike faith that Jesus is looking for. Nothing pleases God more than sincere faith. (Hebrew 11:6)

People’s Response: Don’t bother Jesus (Just live with it vs. Just believe)

• Often in our process of healing, we may encounter people, our closest friends, family, who may discourage us, even though they may not mean to.
• They may have you look at all circumstances. They may show you the impossibility of healing. They may say just don’t bother God, just live with it.
• They may even laugh at the act of your faith.

Who were the Wailers?

• They were hired wailers or mourners, mostly women.
• They were accompanied by flute players and pipers.
• They would dishevel their hair, sing with shrill screams and loud wailing. They would clap their hands and strike their chest in monotonous melody.
• In Jeremiah 9:17-18, God calls for the mourning women to cry for Israel.
• In some eastern cultures, these traditions are still present today. (‘Rudaali’ is an Indian movie based on female mourners in the northern part of India.)

Why did Jesus tell the “wailers” to stop wailing?

• It is interesting that Jesus talked to those who are wailing. He could have avoided that conversation.
• Perhaps, part of our healing process is to acknowledge it before others. We may believe in our heart but we also have to confess with our mouth to others. This is often difficult because we may be mocked at or laughed at.
• We are often afraid of acknowledging it to others because we fear, “what if we do not receive healing”?

“Asleep not dead” – What did Jesus mean by that?

• The fact that verse says, “her spirit returned” means she was indeed physically dead.
• In these few phrases, Jesus gave a glimpse of Eternity.
• Death is not the end of all. There is more to it.
• Jesus brought her back to life.  He “woke” her up from her death, saying “child get up.”

Why did Jesus order them not to tell anyone?

• One obvious reason is he did not want all people to bring their dead to him. His was not just a miracle ministry.
• Jesus’ ministry was to seek and save the lost.
• Jesus often instructed the people who received healing not to go out and proclaim everyone.

Life Applications and Reflections:

• Jesus has the power to heal any disease, even death.
• Many people claim that healing miracles are only limited to more of psychological kind of diseases.
• But Jesus can heal any sickness, if we “just believe”.
• Are you suffering with some form of sickness? It is never too late for healing. We need simple, affirming faith in Jesus Christ. And He will bring health and healing for our bodies and souls.

This healing miracle is a part of eBook ‘Miracles of Jesus Christ: Bible Study Series on Seven Healing Miracles of Jesus’. You can read more about it here.

Recommended Read: The Miracles of Jesus Participant’s Guide: Six In-depth Studies Connecting the Bible to Life (Deeper Connections)More Bible Studies:

• Jesus Heals the Woman with Blood Issue
• Shriveled Hands – Jesus Heals on Sabbath – Mark 3:1-6
• Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus – Mark 10:46-52 | Bible Study
• Jesus Heals Paralytic Man | Mark 2:1-12
• Jesus Heals at the Pool of Bethesda | John 5:1-15

Bible Study Passages:

• Mark 5: 24-34
• Luke 8: 42-48

What can we know about this woman from these passages?

• She was suffering from menstruating bleeding issue for 12 years.
• She had spent all she had to get cured. (Luke 8: 43 (KJV) – “And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any.”)
• She did not give up in spite of suffering from 12 years. In Jesus, she saw hope of being healed.
• She was instantly healed. She felt and knew that she was healed.
• She made a public confession of her healing and faith in Jesus Christ.

Why did she not go directly to Jesus for healing?

• According to the Jewish law, man who touches a menstruating woman becomes ceremonially unclean. (Levi 15: 19-28) In that regard, she would have been ‘untouchable’ for 12 years.
• She might have feared that Jesus would avoid healing her.
• She did not doubt that Jesus had a power to heal her.
• The nature of her disease may also be the reason. In an eastern culture, women issues are never spoken of in public.
• Perhaps, past failures were in her mind. So, she decided to take more secretive way. If she did not get healed, no one would have known that she even tried.
• She thought to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

Did Jesus know who touched him?

• It is unclear whether Jesus knew who touched him or not.  There are two opinions about it.
• First one says that Jesus knew who touched him. But he wanted her to come forward and profess her faith and healing. Jesus being God must know who touched him.
• The second opinion is that he really did not know who touched him. From his conversation with Peter, it seems likely that he knew that power had gone out from him, but not sure how. I believe that Jesus was not pretending there, He really did not know, and that does not affect him being God. There were other things, he did not know. (Mark 13:32 Jesus’ second coming).

Lost in the Crowd:

• Even when she was healed, she did not come forward immediately. She thought that she could go unnoticed, get lost in the crowd.
• But Jesus noticed, he felt that the power had gone out of him. And he was persistent to know who that person was.
• We all have a tendency to act in a way that we can go unnoticed; we can slip in the crowd. We do not want to profess it publicly. Often we hear that our faith is personal. Yes, it is a personal decision, but we also need to acknowledge it to others.
• In case of this woman, she came trembling at Jesus’ feet, but then she went on to tell everyone, ‘why’ she touched him and how she was instantly healed. (Notice that Jesus only asked ‘who’ touched him and not ‘why’!)

What was so significant about her action? What makes her faith so special?

• Unshakable: She had a single focus that if she touches his cloak, she will be healed. She did not let the circumstances or doubts shake her faith.
• Unbelievable: Her faith was truly unbelievable. She believed what was not there. But that is the very definition of faith. (Hebrew 11:1)
• Unreasonable: In some ways, it was unreasonable. One cannot reason it in itself. Only in the light of the object of faith, it makes sense.
• Faith at its core is a simple trust and belief in a person. It is a childlike faith that moves the mountain.
• Jesus wanted to instill this kind of faith in his disciples (who often failed to exercise such faith). He often rebuked them for being “of little faith”.
• Even after receiving the healing, she showed extraordinary courage to come forward and share everything in presence of all people.
• Jesus praised her for her amazing faith and blessed her; it was a powerful testimony of God’s power and faith of a person at work.
• Testimony of healing can have powerful impact on people, especially those who do not know Jesus.
• “One miracle is equivalent to one thousand sermons.” – Angus Buchan (Faith like Potatoes).

Life Applications and Reflections:

• Jesus knows us; he knows our personal struggles, weakness, sickness. We can hide it from others, but He notices us and seeks out for us.
• We need to respond to him, we must be willing to acknowledge Him in the presence of others. We must be willing to share with others.
• The extraordinary faith is a simple, unwavering, childlike faith in Him.
• Without faith, it is impossible to please God.
• Are you willing to put your trust in Him? You may be going through any physical, emotional, spiritual pain or sickness; He can heal you if you just believe in Him.
• “Where is your faith?”

This healing miracle is a part of eBook ‘Miracles of Jesus Christ: Bible Study Series on Seven Healing Miracles of Jesus’. You can read about it here.More Bible Studies:

• Jesus Heals at the Pool of Bethesda | John 5:1-15
• Jesus Heals Jairus’ Daughter – Miracles of Jesus
• Jesus Heals Paralytic Man | Mark 2:1-12
• Jesus Heals the Leper – Mark 1:40-45 | Bible Study
• Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus – Mark 10:46-52 | Bible Study

More Bible Studies:

• Trust in the Lord with all your heart – Bible Verses
• Struggle with Sin in the Life of Christian
• Sexuality, Spirituality and Overcoming Sexual Temptations
• Lydia – Seller of Purple Cloth – Bible Character Study
• The Book of Philippians – Overview and Introduction