Mustard Seed Packet! Healing of the Woman with the Issue of Blood

Transcription

1 Mustard Seed Packet Healing of the Woman with the Issue of Blood Mustard Seed Lesson Plans Matt 13:31 Another parable put he forth unto them saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Matt 13:32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. Our Mustard Seed Lesson Plans for Sunday School are written with the goal that each parent or teacher will teach the story, healing or event from the Bible from a more inspired viewpoint. Knowing the literal content of any story, understanding the historical context, the geographical location, and the people that surround it, etc., is the first step of comprehending it. However, the most important objective is to find the spiritual symbols in each event, and lift it up to its spiritual interpretation. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. (II Tim. 3:16). 1

2 Mary Baker Eddy writes, The spiritual sense of the Scriptures understood enables one to utilize the power of divine Love in casting out God s opposites, called evils, and in healing the sick (My? 5:27). Welcome. Little bit about us. My name is Kathy Merrill, and I work for Biblos Foundation, a foundation set up to enhance the deeper study of the Bible through the lens of Christian Science. We are excited to expand the focus and mission of Biblos to young families, to those who have children and those who don t. Our prayer is that we can fan the flame of interest in the Scriptures, so the desire to study the Bible will catch on fire and grow within each one of you. Each week I plan to share ideas on how to study the Bible more deeply, and how to use what you are learning to share these ideas with your children. If you downloaded this PDF, you probably got it from my blog, diggingdeepernow.org, a blog dedicated to helping teach the Bible to young Christian Science families who want to share their love for the Bible with their children. If you received this free copy through a friend or family member, please visit us at diggingdeepernnow.org and sign up for free blog posts ed directly to you inbox. I regularly update the blog with insights, historical facts about the Bible (Bible 101), and inspirational articles to share.% **********************************************************************************************% Not all Mustard Seed Packets contain exactly the same information since some chapters do not apply to certain topics. But the following is an outline of this packet: Bible Verses Bible Location Study Questions Research Greek Terms Art Gallery 2

3 Bible Verses Matthew 9: While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. 19 And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples. 20 And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 21 For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. 22 But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. Mark 5: And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, 23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. 24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. 25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. 29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. Luke 8: And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: 42 For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a-dying. But as he went the people thronged him. 43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, 44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. 45 And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 46 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. 3

4 Bible Verses 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? 31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. 34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. 4

5 Study Questions 1. What does issue of blood mean? 2. What institutions had given up on the woman? 3. What does it mean that the press was thronging Jesus? 4. Where had Jesus come from before this woman approached him? 5. The woman had interrupted Jesus who was on his way to heal a little girl who was at the point of death. Why did Jesus address this woman first? Why didn t he just go to the emergency case first and come back to the woman who had had her problem for twelve years? Why didn t the father of the little girl say anything to Jesus to make him hurry? 6. What do we know about the woman? 7. What kind of thoughts do you think the woman was thinking? 5

6 Study Questions 8. What did it mean that virtue had gone out of him? 9. What does the word see mean in Greek? 10. What Mosaic laws or rules did Jesus break by healing this woman? 11. What does the word daughter mean in Greek and how could that apply to this healing? 12. What does the word faith mean in Greek and how could that apply to this healing? 13. What does the word whole mean in Greek and how could that apply to this healing? 6

7 Study Questions STUDENT Mark 5:25-34 Mark 5:25And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, Mark 5:26And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, Mark 5:27When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. Mark 5:28For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. Mark 5:29And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. Mark 5:30And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? Mark 5:31And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? Mark 5:32And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. Mark 5:33But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. Mark 5:34And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. 1. What is an issue of blood? 2. What does press mean? 3. What thoughts were the woman thinking? (the patient) 4. What was the practitioner thinking? (Jesus) Greek word for see: Greek word for faith: Greek word for whole: Greek word for daughter: 7

8 Study Questions STUDENT Mark 5: And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, The story of the healing of the woman with a hemorrhage is sandwiched between the report of Jairus s daughter s illness and Jesus action in raising her to life. The precise nature of the woman s ailment is not stated. Probably some sort of uterine disease caused the bleeding that had persisted for twelve years (EBC 8.661). The woman s illness would make her ritually unclean and in consequence everything she touched would be unclean (AYB Mark 285). The illness that this woman manifested was a hemorrhaging of the blood and was considered incurable. For a Jew, any visible or concealed flow of blood caused the person to be seriously restricted in religious and social life. She had been an outcast for twelve years. All physical contact with her was strictly prohibited. During all those years, she had probably not even been embraced by anyone. It could be that this was her time of menopause, contrasting with the twelve-year-old little girl, who may have been just coming into her time of womanhood and beginning menstruation. 26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, The appearance was that the medical profession had given up on her, science had given up on her, and theology had given up on her. All her substance had been spent on physicians and their medicines and now, having grown weaker and worse through the years, she was also destitute (Sergio 31). 27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. The reports the woman had heard about Jesus healings and her belief that he could help her led her to come to him. But her faith seemed to be mixed with a measure of superstition. She apparently shared the belief, common in 8

9 Research her day, that the power of a person was transmitted to his clothing (EBC 8.661). No doubt it was his marvelous cures she had heard of; and the hearing of these, in connection with her bitter experience of the vanity of applying to any other, had been blessed to the kindling in her soul of a firm confidence that he who had so willingly wrought such cures on others was able and would not refuse to heal her also (Jamieson 3.153). Coming secretly, because of ritual impurity, the woman s action indicates her belief that mere contact will effect a cure (AYB Mark 285). 28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. Perhaps she had heard of Jesus or heard of his healing work in the surrounding countryside. She might have seen the crowd gather around him, when he stepped out of the boat from the country of Gadara. There was a superstition that if one could just touch the tassels, the holiest part of a holy man s shawl, one could receive something of him. Therefore, in spite of the mob-like crowd following the Master, she walked through the men. Even if they frowned at, ignored or ostracized her, she made it to the place where Jesus was walking. What qualities of thought did the woman embody to approach Jesus for healing, especially in this male-dominated throng? Didn t she need to exhibit intense faith? expectancy? hope? humility? It took such courage for her to get close to the Christ, to walk through the pushing and shoving curiosity seekers. Her thought was: If I may but touch his clothes, I shall be whole. It was a silent, mental touch that reached out for help, and Jesus felt it. And instantly, she was made whole. 29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. Not only had something happened to the woman when she touched Jesus clothes, he too was aware that something had happened to him (EBC 8.661). 9

10 Research She did not want to hear him speak, much less speak to him, and she knew that, according to Mosaic law, she was ritually unclean and anyone or anything she touched would become unclean also. She risked severe punishment if anyone in the crowd discovered that while she suffered from a flow of blood, whether natural or due to illness, she had allowed herself to touch a man, or had been touched by him (Sergio 32). 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? According to the ceremonial law, the touch of anyone having the disease which this woman had would have defiled the person touched (Jamieson 3.153). Reading her thought, Jesus was immediately aware that someone was seeking help and that virtue had gone out of him. The Anchor Yale Bible states: The Greek is awkward, literally, knowing that power from him had gone out (AYB Mark 285). Jesus did not allow her to remain anonymous; on the contrary, he deliberately drew attention to the woman and to her capacity for faith. He showed her dignity and worth, and treated her with equality, which undoubtedly stunned the all-male crowd. 33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. It is possible that the woman s fear may have been increased by her knowledge that she had rendered Jesus ritually unclean (AYB Mark 286). Deliberately, Jesus made it impossible for her to conceal the nature of her ailment or to deny that she had touched him, so that all, including the president of the synagogue, would have proof before their very eyes, that he had no use for a law that considered a woman unclean in her circumstances. By rewarding her with a miracle for touching him, he showed his defiance of the law as well. It was one more deed wrought by him that day to affirm the equality of woman in legal and in ritual terms (Sergio 33). In front of everyone, he broke the Mosaic law that stated he could not be 10

11 Research touched by a woman while she was bleeding, causing him to become ritually unclean. He spoke aloud to her in public, which was also forbidden. She knew the risk of touching him in her present state, and the severe punishment that might come down upon her if she was caught. Despite that fear, and with great courage, she reaches out in humility and touches the hem of his garment. And with total focus on the woman, ignoring the crowd around him, Jesus speaks to her. 34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. Jesus words are very powerful: He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions (Ps. 107:20). Saw ye my Saviour? Heard ye the glad sound? Felt ye the power of the Word? Mary Baker Eddy (Hymnal 298) Jesus lifts the woman s concept of the blood relationship of daughter using the term in an entirely original way. He deliberately uplifts it to the divine relationship, seeing her as the daughter of God. The word daughter in Greek is thygater which means a daughter of God, acceptable to God, rejoicing in God s peculiar care and protection (Thayer 292). The word faith in Greek is pistis and means the conviction of the truth of anything; the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things; a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation (Thayer 512). Mark 5:34 thy faith hath made thee whole uses the Greek word sozo which means to keep safe and sound from danger or destruction; to save one suffering from disease, to make well, heal, restore to health (Thayer 610). Mark 5:34 be whole of thy plague uses hygies, a different word for whole. This word means a man who is sound in body; to make one whole, i.e. restore him to health; metaphorically, teaching which does not deviate from the truth; whole (Thayer 634). 11

12 Research Sources: Whole in English can mean complete; unimpaired; total; unbroken; uninjured; sound; restored to health and soundness; to be undivided or unfragmented (Webster 112). The phrase Go in peace is a traditional Jewish formula of leave-taking (salom), shalom. The word peace here means not just freedom from inward anxiety, but wholeness or completeness of life that comes from being brought into a right relationship with God (EBC 8.662). The word peace is found only here in Mark. The Hebrew word shalom carries the meaning of wholeness, soundness, rather than the sense of an absence of strife implied by the English translation (AYB Mark 286). The Anchor Yale Bible: Mark. Introduction, translation and commentary by C.S. Mann. New York: Doubleday, Christian Science Hymnal, with Seven Hymns Written by The Reverend Mary Baker Eddy, Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science. Boston: The Christian Science Publishing Society, Concord Windows 95 version, CD-ROM. The Expositor s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke. Ed. Frank E. Gaebelein et al. Vol. 8. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Jamieson, Robert, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown. A Commentary on the Old and New Testaments. Vol. 3. Peabody: Hendrickson, Sergio, Lisa. Jesus and Woman: An exciting discovery of what he offered her. McLean: EPM Publications, Thayer, Joseph Henry, trans. The New Thayer s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. Peabody: Hendrickson, Webster, Noah. An American Dictionary of the English Language. First ed. Abbreviation key: AYB = The Anchor Bible % San Francisco: Foundation for American Christian Education, EBC = The Expositor s Bible Commentary% Hymnal = Christian Science Hymnal% 12

13 Bible Location CAPERNAUM in Hebrew means Village of Nahum (Kefar Nahum) Location and Description The town lies on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, about two and a half miles from the entrance of the Jordan River into the Galilean Sea. It was the last town before the border between Galilee and Gaulanitis to the east. As a border town, large revenues of taxes would have been collected at this site. It is conceivable that the reason why these disciples had moved house to Capernaum from Bethsaida was precisely because they could avoid paying repeated taxes as they transported their fresh fish to the places on the western side of the lake where their fish could be preserved (Walker 71). In the first century, Capernaum was a bustling port of international commerce and industry because of the Via Maris or the Way of the Sea running through it. This caravan route from Egypt to Damascus ran near the city along the hills. Food and grain markets abundantly displayed crops from the region. A custom-house employed tax-gatherers (publicans) to obtain a toll on travelers. Matthew was called to follow Jesus from the receipt of customs where he worked as a publican (Matt. 9:9; Mark 2:14). A Roman garrison housed Roman soldiers. Perhaps this is where the Roman centurion was from who came to Jesus to ask him to heal his favored servant. The official residence of Herod Antipas representative was located there. A thriving fishing industry exported a variety of fish caught from the fresh waters of the Galilean Sea. Jews and Gentiles lived together all around the Lake in uneasy cohabitation. Jesus and Capernaum Jesus adopts this town after Nazareth rejects him. It was the perfect starting point for him to conduct his ministry. There was receptivity and open thought, a busy highway with traffic from all over the Roman world, a population of liberal thinking Jews and Gentiles, and places to retreat in prayer. Throughout the next two and a half to three years, Jesus made many circuits throughout Galilee to preach the gospel of the kingdom and to heal. The Gospels remind readers that Jesus was at home in this region (Matt. 4:13; Matt. 9:1; Mark 1:21; Luke 4:31; John 2:12). For practical purposes, Jesus used Peter s house as his headquarters for his two-and-a-half-year mission. He taught, preached and healed mainly in the Galilee region and in three towns: Capernaum, Bethsaida and Chorazin. Capernaum from the Sea of Galilee Peter s home in Capernaum 13

14 Bible Location Peter lived in Capernaum and had a home and family there (Matt. 8:5, 14; Mark 1:21, 29; Luke 4:31, 38). He was in the fishing business with his brother Andrew, and James and John, and Zebedee, their father. A house structure from the first century stands across the street from the synagogue. Called St. Peter s House, it appears to have been remodeled multiple times for use as a Christian house-church. Christian graffiti, dating from the second century to the first half of the fourth century, has been discovered. Markings of floral crosses, flowers and fruits, which scholars surmise to symbolize paradise, have been found on the walls. Greek inscriptions were also discovered some with the name Peter, others with the Greek word for fish. The initial letters of the word fish in Greek spell out the Christian acrostic, Jesus Christ, God s Son, Savior. Other Greek inscriptions found in this area include Christ have mercy, and Lord Jesus Christ help. Other disciples from Capernaum Five disciples were chosen from here: Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Levi or Matthew (Matt. 4:18; Matt. 10:2; John 21:2). Jesus curses Capernaum Capernaum was cursed by Jesus because of the inhabitants lack of receptivity to his healing work (Matt. 11:20, 23, 24; Luke 10:15). Matt. 11: Woe unto thee, Chorazin woe unto thee, Bethsaida for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. Jesus in the synagogue Some of Jesus first teachings happened in the synagogue in Capernaum. The elders of the city said that a Roman centurion, a Gentile, had it built for the Jews (Luke 7:5). In the first century, the synagogue would have been very modest. The synagogue standing in Capernaum today is one of the best preserved in all of Palestine. Constructed around the third or fourth 14

15 Bible Location century CE, it is built on the black basalt foundation of the original synagogue, perhaps the one that Jesus and the disciples attended. The third-century synagogue is over 65 feet long and two stories high. It was built out of white limestone, had a gabled roof and three sides which were equipped with three galleries in which the women could worship. A pillar was found in the area with the inscription: Alphaeus, son of Zebedee, son of John, made this column; on him be blessing. It would seem from this inscription that the association of the Alphaeus, Zebedee, and John families persisted for many centuries. Archaeologists also discovered a depiction of the Ark of the Covenant on wheels, a sculptured menorah (or seven-branched candlestick) with the shofar (or ram s horn), the shovel used for incense, and the Star of David (known as the pentagram) on several stones. Jesus healing activity in Capernaum For 23 months, this city was the center of Jesus healing activity and teaching. More healings by Jesus occurred in Capernaum than in any other town. Because of this, Capernaum becomes one of the most important sites in the Gospel accounts of Jesus life. Recorded healings in Capernaum A man with an unclean spirit (Mark 1:21-26; Luke 4:31-37) Peter s mother-in-law sick with fever (Matt. 8:14, 15; Mark 1:29-31; Luke 4:38, 39). The centurion s servant (Matt. 8:5-13; Luke 7:1-10) The palsied man carried by four friends (Matt. 9:2-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26). Jairus daughter raised from the dead (Matt. 9:18-26; Mark 5:22-43; Luke 8:41-56). A woman with an issue of blood (Matt. 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-48) The blind and dumb demoniac (Matt. 9:27-33) Sources: Jesus and His Times. Ed. Kaari Ward et al. Pleasantville: Reader s Digest Assn., Merrill, Kathryn L. and Kristy L. Christian. In Jesus Time. Highland City: Rainbow, Shotwell, Berenice Myers. Getting Better Acquainted with Your Bible. Kennebunkport: Shadwold, Teringo, J. Robert. The Land & People Jesus Knew. Minneapolis: Bethany, Walker, Peter. In The Steps of Jesus. Oxford: Lion Hudson, Photos Biblos Foundation 15

16 Palestine Map PALESTINE IN THE TIME OF JESUS Tyre PHOENICIA Sidon Sarepta (Zarephath) MT.HERMON Caesarea Philippi TRACHONITIS Damascus MEDITERRANEAN SEA MT.CARMEL Ptolemais (Accho) Cana GALILEE Nain Chorazin Capernaum Magdala Sea of Tiberias Galilee Nazareth GAULANITIS Bethsaida Gergesa Gadara BATANAEA Caesarea SAMARIA Scythopolis Aenon Bethabara (?) Pella DECAPOLIS AURANITIS Samaria Shechem Sychar MT.GERIZIM Antipatris Joppa Lydda Arimathaea Bethel Ephraim Jordan River PERAEA Philadelphia (Rabbath-ammon) Gaza Azotus (Ashdad) Emmaus Jerusalem Bethlehem JUDAEA Hebron Jericho Bethany Qumran Dead Sea Gaza Machaerus MILEAGES TO JERUSALEM ARABIA Beer-sheba IDUMAEA Masada Bethany 2 Bethlehem 5 Caesarea Philippi 105 Cana 65 Capernaum 79 Emmaus 6 Jericho 17 Nain 58 Nazareth 63 Sychar 30 16

17 Woman with Issue of Blood Greek Terms The following terms are from: Thayer, Joseph Henry, trans. The New Thayer s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament; Peabody: Hendrickson, Teachers - you can cut and paste this definition to a 3x5 card and keep for future reference.% faith: pistos in Greek: see: edio in Greek: 17

18 Woman with Issue of Blood Greek Terms daughter: in Greek: 18

19 Art Gallery Woman with an Issue of Blood, James Tissot, ( ) 19