“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” –  (Luke 7:50) These words were probably said to Mary (called Magdalene) from Magdala because Luke narrated her story just before introducing her by name in the very next chapter (8:2). As Jesus travelled from Capernaum (Luke 7:1) to Nain (7:11), he went through a town the Bible doesn’t name but probably Magdala, as it was along the way. ‘When a woman who HAD lived a sinful life in that town, heard that Jesus was eating at a Pharisee’s house, she brought a jar of perfume and stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair and kissed them and poured perfume on them.’ –  (Luke 8:37-38) She had a previous encounter with Christ that changed her life and now she came back to show her love. She was caught in adultery at Jerusalem and brought to Jesus to be stoned but none of her accusers could condemn her. “Then neither do I condemn you”, Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.” – (John 8:11) Let’s not forget the mercy he has shown us and come back to show our love. “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven – for she loved much.” – (Luke 7:47)

“I am willing”, he said. “Be clean!” – (Mark 1:41) When the man with leprosy came and fell on his knees before Jesus, he didn’t doubt the ability of Christ but the willingness of Christ to heal him. ‘Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man’, instead of just speaking a word over him, so as to physically assure him of his willingness. Yet Jesus rebuked those who doubted God’s ability, for a man whose son was possessed by an evil spirit came to him and said, “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “‘If you can?'” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes.” – (Mark 9:22-23) We might not doubt the ability of God but we are often not sure of his willingness.  ‘Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.’ – (Hebrews 11:1-2)  Like them, let’s be assured  of His willingness and let our faith be found complete. Amen.

“For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.” – (Mark 7:29) How could a Gentile woman be certain about the identity of Jesus  that she beseeched him saying, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me”? – (Matthew 15:22) Jesus decided to check out how grounded (well balanced and sensible) her faith is before granting her request. He pretended to ignore her saying, “First let the children eat all they want for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs”, to which she replied with great wit, that as a matter of fact, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.” Flabbergasted (greatly astonished) by her reply, Jesus said, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” – (Matthew 15:28) If the ‘crumbs’ are a blessing to Gentiles, how much more the fullness in Christ will be to them? ‘He has redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus …’ – (Galatians 3:14) Remember today that Christ is listening to our words of faith!

“Don’t be afraid; just believe.” – (Mark 5:36) Jesus often exhorted those around him to believe before he did a miracle because miracles require an atmosphere of faith for it to happen. So he put out the unbelieving crowd from within Jairus’ house and let only the girl’s parents and his disciples to go with him inside to witness the supernatural ! Yet when he went to his hometown, ‘he could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith.’– (Mark 6:5) He couldn’t help them overcome their unbelief because of their prejudice about him. Put out those who hinder our faith and be with those who dare to believe! Set the stage for miracles and our lives will become naturally supernatural! “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” – (John 11:40)

“Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” –  (Matthew 9:22) Just a slight touch by faith at the edge of his cloak caused power to flow out from Jesus while others crowding and pressing against him couldn’t draw it out ! Not that he didn’t have the means to know who touched him but he wanted her to come forward by herself and publically acknowledge her faith in Christ, though it might have been embarrassing for her to be exposed. When she heard Jesus say, “Someone touched me; I know power has gone out of me”, and realised that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling with fear and fell at his feet. With tenderness, Jesus instantly reassured her of the healing which ‘she already felt in her body’. (Mark 5:29) There are many who crowd around Jesus but let our faith touch him today! Be unashamed to confess Christ publically and be reassured of his tender love. It was said of the Messiah : ‘A bruised reed he will not break and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out!’ – (Isaiah 42:3)

“Go ! It will be done just as you believed it would.”– (Matthew 8:13) There was nothing that excited Jesus more than faith that he had to acknowledge it publically. Yet the Centurion’s faith was so simple! He didn’t know anything about the Law and the Prophets but just believed that Christ was a man under the authority of God, just as he was under Caesar. Astonished by his faith, Jesus said to those following him: “I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” Jesus was pleased to grant his request immediately. The ways of God are so simple that even Gentiles could appropriate for themselves, the promises of God by faith but the subjects of the kingdom couldn’t because they tried to attain the promises of God by works. Let’s rediscover our childlike faith which excites God’s heart ! ‘And without faith it is impossible to please God because anyone who comes to him must believe he exists and he rewards those who earnestly seek him.’ – (Hebrews 11:6) Amen.

“Blessed are you, Simon … for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Cepha (Rock), …” (Matthew 16:18) Jesus always acknowledged faith and he was spontaneous in responding to it with ‘bigger than life’ promises, made to those who boldly and unashamedly confessed their faith in Him. Just as Jesus prophesied, Peter went on to become a fearless spokesman of the early Church (Acts 2:14, 4:13), one of the reputed pillars of the Church (Galatians 2:9) and the Apostolic foundation on which the Church was built (Ephesians 2:20), because he didn’t hesitate to confess: “You are Christ, the Son of the living God.” If you haven’t made your good confession yet, don’t hesitate to confess Christ, starting today. Let Him speak a word of promise over us that will change the course of our lives forever. ‘From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.’ (John 1:16) Amen.

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Jesus exhorted his disciples to be positive because just as he overcame the world, they too were destined to overcome the world, once they received the Holy Spirit.  He wasn’t speaking of overcoming death, which he was yet to overcome, but he spoke of that which he had already overcome – the world, sin and Satan. So he said: “The prince of this world is coming but he has no hold on me.” (John 14:30) We often contemplate about a victory in our next life but God exhorts us to walk in victory now, in this life! Victory is not measured by the wealth we possess but in our ability to turn our backs on this world and sin. ‘Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.’ (1 John 5:4 ) Amen.