21 Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. 22  And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet 23  and begged Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live." 24  So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.

25  Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years,  26  and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.  27  When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. 28  For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." 29  Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.

30  And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?" 31  But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’" 32  And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33  But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34 And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."

I. Interruptions can be divine appointments for displaying the glory of God

A. God has purposes in the interruptions and inconveniences of our lives

B. Jesus couldn’t have done what He did if it were not for who He was

C. We need to be prepared, purposeful, and sensitive to both the Holy Spirit and the needs of receptive seeking people

II. Miracles interrupt the natural order to authenticate and facilitate faith in the Word of God

A. Purpose of miracles: Authenticate the Message: God’s ultimate concern for His glory, not just our comfort (Parallel to previous demoniac)

Three 70 year periods where supernatural events (Class A miracles) were the order of the day (Moses/Joshua Elijah/Elisha Jesus/Disciples)

Most positively answered prayer involves Class B miracles

B. A reasonable person would expect that an infinite being, communicating infinite truth to finite beings, would do so super-naturally.

CS Lewis: studying a train timetable can’t tell you about accidents, just as studying the natural order can tell you about miracles.

C. An unreasonable person demands that God do their bidding (No sign is a sign you have enough 2Sam 5:9&23 beware of circumstances)

Mt 12:39 An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah

III. Healing Faith sometimes brings a temporary interruption to the natural course of events

A. Faith is a Dependant and Expectant Response to the Revealed Character, Promises and Principles of God Heb 11:6

B. Dependent faith results in deeper Contact/Relationship with God John 15

C. God Heals in accord with His perfect will, for our ultimate benefit and to Display His Glory

2Co 12:8...I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. If faith is so important and miracles help people believe, then why isn’t God doing Class A miracles all the time?

2. What is our natural response to our agenda or desires being frustrated? What is a Christlike response? How do we change? (Rom 12)

3. What are some of the benefits of not receiving the answers to our prayers (in general and for healing in particular)? 2 Cor 12:9

4. Why are we sometimes hesitant to proclaim what God has done for us? What does this account teach about what God wants?

5. How can you better discern and cooperate with God’s purposes in the interruptions he allows into your life?