Recently, we were watching an episode of “The Chosen” about the woman who needed healing for 12 years. She had tried everything possible to receive the relief that she needed. She had spent all of her money. She lived the life of an outcast. She basically had given up. She hears that Jesus was in the area. She knows who he is and decides she must get to him, even if just to touch the hem of his garment, she will be healed. She locates Jesus who is trying to walk surrounded by a mob of people pushing from all angles. The disciples are with him trying to help Him move forward. She finally gets close enough to reach out and touch the hem of His garment which many believe was one of the tassels from His prayer shawl. Then something amazing happens when she touches it. She is instantly healed. But Jesus asks, “who touched me?” The disciples looked bewildered saying, “You are in this crowd. People pushing from all angles. What do you mean ‘who touched you?'”

Jesus responds, “I felt the power go from me.” The woman moves toward Jesus in fear, trembling, falling down before him telling Jesus the “whole truth.” Jesus responds to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well: go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” As we unpack this story, this woman’s faith begins before she encounters Jesus. She has heard about Jesus. She believes that He can heal her even if she just touches the hem of His garment without any verbal, eye to eye encounter with Him. She has put her complete faith not just in what Jesus is able to do but also in who He is. Too often we approach the Lord for what we want, what He can do for us without real acknowledgement and commitment to who He is, which is so vital to our faith. This is also reflected in Matthew 16:14-18, Jesus asks the disciples, “who do men say that the Son of man is?” They answer “…John the Baptist, Elijah and others say Jeremiah…” Jesus asks them, “who do you say that I am?” Peter responds, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” The question we must ask ourselves, before we ask anything of God, is, “who do you say that He is, who do you put your complete faith in, why do you trust Him and what do our lives reflect of Him.”

What Jesus saw in the woman’s faith was, “I know who you are and I believed you could do this. I put my trust and confidence in you above all else” which is the goal for our faith as well. Whatever happens, the result is His peace in body and soul. “And the peace of God, that passes understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

The key to this story is “your faith.” What does this actually mean? We define “faith” as having a complete trust, confidence or strong conviction. We experience ordinary expressions of faith every day. Every we time we sit in a chair; we have faith the chair will hold us and accomplish what it is meant to do. We put our faith in people that they will do what they have promised. Our spiritual faith is not only that God exists but also, that we put our confidence in Him and His Word and that His promises are true. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 We can completely trust Him when He says He loves us forever. He always has our best in mind in His will and His ways. For this reason, Jesus came to restore us in relationship with salvation and forgiveness of our sins. The best part is that Jesus is returning and those who have truly put thier unwavering faith in Him will live with Him forever. However, it is just as important how we live our time and live our faith here on earth. It isn’t always easy. We live in an age of numerous distractions; worldly views can confuse and tempt us. Expectations can weaken us. But do not despair, with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God we can be faithful.

Before Peter declared to Jesus, He is the Messiah, we read in Matthew 14:22-32 after Jesus miraculously fed 5,000 people, the disciples are in a boat dealing with a massive storm. The disciples are fearful their boat will sink. They see a figure walking on the water which they think is a ghost and then they realize it is Jesus. Peter says, “Lord if it is you, bid me to come to you on the water.” Jesus says, “Come.” Peter does get out of the boat and walks on the water to Jesus. However, when he took his eyes off of Jesus and he saw the wind, he was afraid and begins to sink calling out to Jesus for help. Jesus reaches out and catches him saying to him, “O man of little faith, why did you doubt?” We see Peter go from a man of little faith despite the miracles and teachings of Jesus he experienced; to a man who proclaims Jesus to be the Son of the living God, the Messiah. The key in verse 17 of Matthew 16. When Peters affirms who Jesus truly is, Jesus responds “Blessed are you…For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is heaven.”

When Peter sank in the water, his faith had been placed more on his own abilities and strength and the disturbance of the storm. When Jesus asked him ‘Who do you say I am?” Peter relied on the Holy Spirit by his faith in God to receive this truth from the Father. This is the answer for your faith. First, we have to establish the foundation of our faith. What do you really believe about God and who He is? Our answers are in the Word of God. A great place to start in Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” We must believe this to move forward. Through study in the Word and in science there is mountains of evidence this is true. Now who do you say that Jesus Is? In John 1:1-5, we learn Jesus was in the beginning with God and “through him all things were made.” Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6 And our faith includes the work of the Holy Spirit. For better understanding, it is good to read through all of the Gospel of John. It is only 21 chapters. Read one chapter a day.

As your faith is defined and takes root, it must be fed to grow. We must be in the scriptures daily. We feed ourselves physically daily. We also need to be fed spiritually daily. Third, as we feed our faith, we must weed out what is not of God. “…I believe; help my unbelief!.” Mark 9:24 The enemy is waiting to distract, confuse and weaken our faith any way that he can. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” John 10:10 We need not fear because faith in Jesus gives us abundant life. Fourth is time. We can see in the scriptures the growth of Peter’s faith took time. We never stop learning and never stop growing closer to God. And this is where Communion, daily prayer, and worship, personal and in church come in.

As we close, it is good to remember we cannot manufacture our faith. Our faith increases as we submit and surrender to God by letting the Holy Spirit lead, teach, guide and work through us. A good gage is the way people see Christ in us. Do we react as Jesus would react? Are we imitating Christ in all we say and do and think? Do people see your faith when they see your kindness, your compassion, your humility, your generosity, your love for others, and your devotion to God? It is never too late to get started and put your faith in God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God loves you. He forgives you. You just have to take that first step by asking who do you say He is? And answering I believe You are the Son of God, the Christ. It is just the beginning of an amazing life and future.

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Finding Faith is written by area pastors. This week’s column comes from retired pastor, Janis Heiser.