Upgrading Jesus pt. 5

On Sunday, we delved into the profound narrative found in Matthew 9:20-22, where a woman suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years is healed by touching the hem of Jesus' garment. This story, rich with spiritual insights, serves as the foundation for understanding the different levels of spiritual upgrade that Jesus offers.

The Healing of the Woman

In this pivotal scripture, a woman, desperate after exhausting all human efforts to heal her condition, reaches out in faith to touch Jesus' garment. Her healing is immediate, illustrating the power of faith and the authority of Jesus over physical and spiritual ailments. This act of faith is not just a physical healing but a spiritual awakening both for her and the crowd.

Levels of Spiritual Upgrade

Level 1: Wellness

- Spiritual Healing: The first level is about recognizing that Jesus is the only path to comprehensive wellness—spiritually, physically, and emotionally.
- The woman's healing is a metaphor for our own spiritual journey, where we must acknowledge that no human solution can match the healing power of faith in Jesus.
- Like the woman, many of us have tried cultural solutions without success, realizing only Jesus can truly make us well.

Level 2: Position

- Identity in Christ: Before addressing her physical issue, Jesus addresses her identity by calling her "daughter," showing that our spiritual position is paramount.
- This teaches us that our identity in Christ is not defined by our issues or what culture says about us but by our relationship with God.
- Even with her condition, the woman is acknowledged as a daughter, emphasizing that our issues do not alter our identity as children of God.

Level 3: Formation

- Purpose and Assignment: This level involves realizing and stepping into our divine purpose.
- The woman’s transformation serves as a model for others, showing that our trials can lead to a greater understanding of our purpose in God’s plan.
- Jesus uses her story to illustrate that even when we don't understand our struggles, they can serve as powerful testimonies of faith and divine intervention.

The Model of Jesus

- Jesus as the Ultimate Model: The sermon concludes by highlighting Jesus' own journey to the cross as the ultimate expression of love and sacrifice.
- Jesus' actions on the cross are the perfect model of living in wellness, position, and formation, teaching us how to embrace our identity and purpose in God's kingdom.

This sermon invites us to reflect on our own spiritual journey and the various levels of upgrade available to us through faith in Jesus. By understanding and embracing our identity in Christ, we can experience true wellness and live out our divine purpose. As we internalize these truths, we are encouraged to emulate Jesus, living a life of faith, love, and purpose.

For further reflection, consider reading the full passage in Matthew 9:20-22 and contemplate how this story speaks to your personal journey of faith and spiritual growth.

Pastor Winfred