June 9, 2025; Matthew 9:18-38

Daily Dose of Hope

June 9, 2025

 

Scripture - Matthew 9:18-38

 

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, We come to you today in awe.  You are almighty and wise but also filled with love and mercy.  And we have the pleasure of experiencing that love and mercy.  Despite our brokenness, you care for us and you continue to walk alongside us.  Thank you, Lord, for your patience.  Help us to focus more on you.  Fill us with a consuming desire to know you better.  Work in us.  Stretch us.  Challenge us.  Convict us.  We love you.  Amen.

 

Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional/podcast that complements the Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts and today, we are finishing up Matthew, chapter 9.

 

The last portion of Matthew 9 includes some amazing healings.  Remember, in God’s Kingdom there is no sickness so Jesus healed people physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  The first one in today’s text is the healing of the bleeding woman.  This story was also found in Mark.  This is probably my favorite miracle (if we are allowed to have a favorite.) I can’t help but think about this woman’s difficult life. To be bleeding in Jewish culture meant she was unclean. She couldn’t go to the synagogue, nor was she really supposed to be around people. If she had been married, her husband would have long left her because of her condition. She would have lived a very isolated, lonely life, not to mention being poor and physically weak.

 

And then Jesus comes along. She must have heard about him. She knows where he will be passing and she takes a chance. She wasn’t supposed to even be in the crowd because she was unclean. But something within her knows that this man could change things. Her faith is beyond what Jesus has seen in the religious people or those in high positions. In a crowd of people who see themselves as righteous and important, Jesus elevates this humble woman above all the others. She is no longer ostracized but healed, whole, and part of Jesus’ family. That word “daughter” would have been so healing for her. Condemned by the rest of society, Jesus empowers this woman and calls her his own.

 

But Jesus met this woman on his way to a synagogue leader’s home.  The synagogue leader had come to Jesus in desperation because his little girl had just died.  Two things are notable to me here.  First, this had to have been humbling because a synagogue leader would not have normally resorted to asking Jesus, a rogue Jewish rabbi, for help. But, if you are a parent, you know that you will do just about anything to help your child.  We are seeing this here.  The other thing that is amazing is tha