A CLEAR SOUND
The Bleeding Issue
In my last article I wrote about the disagreement between the apostle Paul and the disciples/apostles in Jerusalem regarding the issue of grace and the law.
I also mentioned the woman with the issue of blood who knew in her heart that if she could just touch the hem of the garment of Jesus she would be made whole. Matthew 9:19-22 and also Mark 5:25-34. Remember that the "life of all flesh is in the blood" Leviticus 17:14 , so this poor woman's life had been slowly leaking away for twelve years. She was experiencing a very slow and exhausting death.
Why did she want to touch the hem of Jesus Christ's garment and why did she believe she would be made whole?
Jesus was anointed by God according to Isaiah 61:1 and Luke 4:18 for a number of very specific purposes. The anointing oil was poured upon the head of the high priest according to Exodus 29:7. I think it would be safe to say that this oil of anointing would then flow down upon the body of the priest. There would then be a saturation of this oil in the hem of the priestly garment. Remember, sanctification flows up, the anointing flows down.
The woman with the bleeding issue then wanted to touch not only the anointing but the Anointed One Himself, Jesus Christ. She did not want to touch the law and the prophets represented by Moses and Elijah but love and grace in the person of Jesus Christ.
There are differences pointed out in Isaiah 61 and Luke 4 regarding what the anointing was for and you can look those differences up for yourself. I will say that Luke 4:18-19 is good news!
There is healing for the brokenhearted, deliverance for the captives, recovery of sight for the blind, and liberty for them that are bruised.
There is not a declaration of "judgement, and vengeance", there is a declaration of "the acceptable year of the Lord". No wonder then that there is no need to mourn or clothe oneself in sackcloth and ashes. There is beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for those that mourn.
We hear many television pulpiteers and evangelist's speak about an anointing for this, that, and the other thing but we are anointed for one purpose and that is to declare the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Gospel of Grace and Peace. To declare that God loves all mankind, that He is not mad or disappointed with us. God's expectation is in Jesus Christ and He is pleased with Him and Him alone. We are to declare that "Moses My servant is dead", Joshua 1:2 , the one who represented the law of God, but Jesus My Son, Who represents God's love and grace, is alive forever more!
Like Job, I know our Redeemer lives and He is the Redeemer of the entire world, and I also know that our Saviour lives and that He through the power of His cross and His redemptive blood has saved all mankind.
Like the woman with the bleeding issue we need to encourage those who are in need to "touch the hem of the garment of our faithful and merciful High Priest Jesus Christ" Who is anointed to "destroy every yoke of bondage". Isaiah 10:27.
Be reminded here that the Gospel means and is Good News! If what you are hearing is not Good News then it is not the Gospel of Jesus Christ! To subject oneself to any other gospel would be to allow your life to be drained right out of you just like the woman with the bleeding issue. Slowly but surely.
On the mount of transfiguration stood Moses who represents the law, Elijah who represents the prophets, and Jesus Christ who represents life, love and grace. God said hear Him! The One Who fulfilled the law and prophets ... it is finished!
I plan to write a series of articles about our new identity in Christ Jesus. Beginning with identity theft, mistaken identity, and identity recovery. How do we keep our identity from being stolen? Identity theft protection is in the Gospel of Grace and Peace. And we all are in need of identity theft protection.
This is always worth repeating, "grace means we get what we did not deserve, and peace means we will never ever get what we did deserve". Good News Indeed!
Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
" If your heart is kinder than your doctrine you might want to examine your doctrine "
I also mentioned the woman with the issue of blood who knew in her heart that if she could just touch the hem of the garment of Jesus she would be made whole. Matthew 9:19-22 and also Mark 5:25-34. Remember that the "life of all flesh is in the blood" Leviticus 17:14 , so this poor woman's life had been slowly leaking away for twelve years. She was experiencing a very slow and exhausting death.
Why did she want to touch the hem of Jesus Christ's garment and why did she believe she would be made whole?
Jesus was anointed by God according to Isaiah 61:1 and Luke 4:18 for a number of very specific purposes. The anointing oil was poured upon the head of the high priest according to Exodus 29:7. I think it would be safe to say that this oil of anointing would then flow down upon the body of the priest. There would then be a saturation of this oil in the hem of the priestly garment. Remember, sanctification flows up, the anointing flows down.
The woman with the bleeding issue then wanted to touch not only the anointing but the Anointed One Himself, Jesus Christ. She did not want to touch the law and the prophets represented by Moses and Elijah but love and grace in the person of Jesus Christ.
There are differences pointed out in Isaiah 61 and Luke 4 regarding what the anointing was for and you can look those differences up for yourself. I will say that Luke 4:18-19 is good news!
There is healing for the brokenhearted, deliverance for the captives, recovery of sight for the blind, and liberty for them that are bruised.
There is not a declaration of "judgement, and vengeance", there is a declaration of "the acceptable year of the Lord". No wonder then that there is no need to mourn or clothe oneself in sackcloth and ashes. There is beauty for ashes and the oil of joy for those that mourn.
We hear many television pulpiteers and evangelist's speak about an anointing for this, that, and the other thing but we are anointed for one purpose and that is to declare the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Gospel of Grace and Peace. To declare that God loves all mankind, that He is not mad or disappointed with us. God's expectation is in Jesus Christ and He is pleased with Him and Him alone. We are to declare that "Moses My servant is dead", Joshua 1:2 , the one who represented the law of God, but Jesus My Son, Who represents God's love and grace, is alive forever more!
Like Job, I know our Redeemer lives and He is the Redeemer of the entire world, and I also know that our Saviour lives and that He through the power of His cross and His redemptive blood has saved all mankind.
Like the woman with the bleeding issue we need to encourage those who are in need to "touch the hem of the garment of our faithful and merciful High Priest Jesus Christ" Who is anointed to "destroy every yoke of bondage". Isaiah 10:27.
Be reminded here that the Gospel means and is Good News! If what you are hearing is not Good News then it is not the Gospel of Jesus Christ! To subject oneself to any other gospel would be to allow your life to be drained right out of you just like the woman with the bleeding issue. Slowly but surely.
On the mount of transfiguration stood Moses who represents the law, Elijah who represents the prophets, and Jesus Christ who represents life, love and grace. God said hear Him! The One Who fulfilled the law and prophets ... it is finished!
I plan to write a series of articles about our new identity in Christ Jesus. Beginning with identity theft, mistaken identity, and identity recovery. How do we keep our identity from being stolen? Identity theft protection is in the Gospel of Grace and Peace. And we all are in need of identity theft protection.
This is always worth repeating, "grace means we get what we did not deserve, and peace means we will never ever get what we did deserve". Good News Indeed!
Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
" If your heart is kinder than your doctrine you might want to examine your doctrine "
