What Jesus Did! 'Affirming Faith' — Matthew 9:18-22

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

As Jesus was saying this [about old and new cloth and wineskins], the leader of a synagogue came and knelt before him. "My daughter has just died," he said, "but you can bring her back to life again if you just come and lay your hand on her."

So Jesus and his disciples got up and went with him. Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe, for she thought, "If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed."

Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, "Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well." And the woman was healed at that moment.

— Matthew 9:18-22 NLT

Key Thought

Two powerful realizations are driven home by this story of the desperate woman, who is an outcast because of her condition:
  1. Even though her outward circumstances and personal demeanor are the opposite of the synagogue ruler with whom she shares the story, their core issue is the same: Faith that Jesus can deliver them from their desperate concerns. They both act in bold ways to find that deliverance.
  2. In both stories, even though there is a huge crowd pressing on Jesus, he ministers personally and specifically to the needs of the individuals.
What so powerfully sets Jesus apart from healing charlatans is that he does not use these events to focus on himself, but to personally minister to the needs of the people involved. These stories remind us again of how powerful it is that God would become human flesh to minister to us - personally!

Today's Prayer

Holy Father, thank you for your love and compassion in sending Jesus. I find it both awe inspiring and assuring to know that you walked among people and ministered to them personally, as well as to spectacularly, in Jesus. Thank you for reminding me that every human need, every desperate struggle, is known to you and agonized over by you. In Jesus' name, I praise and thank you for this grace. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

5 Related Resources by Heartlight

Annoying Interruptions or Divine Appointments
Article by Mike Barres
How do you feel about the people who interrupt your day? Many of Jesus' miracles began as interruptions in his daily schedule.
Responding to Faith
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"As Jesus was saying this [about old and new cloth and wineskins], the leader of a synagogue came and knelt before him. "My daughter has just died," he..."
Matthew 9:21
Devo: Today's Verse
"She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.""
Just a Touch
Illustration of Matthew 9:21
Inspirational illustration of Matthew 9:21 -- She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."
See All 5 Related Resources about Matthew 9:18-22

Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 9:18-22 NLT — "Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by William Barclay:
"Love always involves responsibility, and love always involves sacrifice. And we do not really love Christ unless we are prepared to face His task and to take up..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Listen Very Carefully: Guard Your Heart'
"My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. … Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: Daniel 9:8
"A deep sense and clear sight of sin, its heinousness, and the punishment which it deserves, should make us lie low before the throne. We have sinned....."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Philippians 3:20
"Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!