Aaron Hufty

Sneaking up on Jesus

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 9:20-22 (day two)

And a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years, came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak; for she was saying to herself, “If I only touch His garment, I will get well.” But Jesus turning and seeing her said, “Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.” At once the woman was made well.

You are not going to sneak up on Jesus. This woman, who was ceremonially unclean, had many reasons to not be seen. Her presence likely caused a commotion, but amid the bustle of the crowd she saw her opportunity and she took it. If only she could get near him and touch the hem of his cloak. But Jesus doesn’t work like that. You are not going to surprise Jesus. He knows you and your afflictions far better than you do, so come to him openly and receive what this woman found: freedom from her condition, and a new-found faith that healed her soul. Come into His light, and receive the healing that only he can offer. Let the promise of the new year lived by His Spirit bring the healing.

Get Near Jesus

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 9:20-22 (day two)

And a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years, came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak; ²¹for she was saying to herself, “If I only touch His garment, I will get well.” ²²But Jesus turning and seeing her said, “Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.” At once the woman was made well.

“When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭

The shepherds knew little of who this child was or would be. They had an angelic visitation that told of his birth, and they went to be near this child…and their lives were changed.

The ailing woman knew enough about Jesus that she, too, desired to be near him, and her faith in him made her well.

This is the heart of the gospel. Get near Jesus. You will be changed. Merry Christmas.

Storms

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 8:23-27 (day two)

And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. vs. 24

Jesus was with his disciples…and the storm came anyway. Many of his disciples were well acquainted with the water, and many made their living from fishing…and the storm scared them. We should not think that we are any different than the disciples. Storms will come, and often in the areas where we should be most prepared. Don’t think that a life lived following Jesus will mean one that is free from conflict, pain, or suffering. Is that where you find yourself right now? Take comfort from the disciples next actions. They ran to Jesus. He had a word of rebuke for allowing the storms to shake their faith, but he cared for them. He quieted them, and the storm. Let him be your peace in the storm today.

A Touch and a Word

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 8:14-17 (day two)

He touched her hand…vs. 15a …and He cast out the spirits with a word. 16b

With a touch and a word Jesus made a difference. We may not have Jesus healing abilities, but we surely have the ability to spend time with someone who is in need of comfort. Surely we have a word of kindness for one experiencing grief, loss, or pain. Jesus spent much of his ministry teaching us to identify our neighbors. He doesn’t ask us to cure cancer. He asks as to show love as we have been loved. To show mercy as we have been shown mercy. Sometimes the path to complete restoration can begin with a touch and a word.

Just Worship

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 8:1-4 (day two)

And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

Make no mistake, Jesus came to change the world. This insurgency, however, was not going to be hung up on a gospel of miracles. The true miracle is a surrendered heart that is ready to worship Jesus regardless of what would happen next. Jesus sends this healed man to worship as was the custom. Yes it was incredible. Yes it was a miracle, but Jesus was more concerned with a heart ready to continue in the faith and serve as the Spirit will lead. Is this your testimony.

Hungry

Re:Verse passage – Matthew 4:1-11 (day two)

And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.vs 2

There is so much about this passage that speaks to me. As if we needed further proof that Jesus was fully human, Matthew records his hunger. Food will play an integral part of Jesus ministry, but in this passage we see that he is understandably weakened by a lack of nourishment. This is also a beautiful picture of Jesus being an example for us. Before beginning his earthly ministry Jesus sets a pattern of intimacy with the Father for us to follow. Before any endeavor we must seek his face, his blessing, and his guidance.

Community

Re:Verse passage – Colossians 4:7-18 (day two) Greet the brethren…vs. 15a

No man is an island…These words were penned by the great poet John Donne. Paul, like Donne, understood that since God has created us for community he has made us to work in community for a greater Kingdom purpose. At the end of his epistle, Paul is wise to include all those who co-labor with him to that great purpose of distributing the gospel of Jesus. Whether they were hand-delivering the letter, reading it aloud, maintaining the church in Colossae, or Laodicea, they were all part of God’s design to change the world.

No single pastor is called to do the work of the church. We are built for community, and every link in the chain matters to the great purpose to which we have been called. You are not alone in this fight, you are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses.

No man is an island,
Entire of itself,
Every man is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thy friend’s
Or of thine own were:
Any man’s death diminishes me,
Because I am involved in mankind,
And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls;
It tolls for thee.

Pray More

Re:Verse passage – Colossians 4:2-6 (day two) Devote yourselves to prayer. vs 1a

Take this week’s passage in addition to chapter three and consider the weight of these words. How can we adequately treat others the way God intends for us to if we are not seeking guidance, strength, and forgiveness from the Lord? The necessity to pray cannot be overstated. Paul recognizes that all the he has written to the Colossian church is dependent upon an active and vibrant prayer life. Want to treat your spouse better? Pray more. Want to treat your children with more grace? Pray more. Do you need assistance in the way you handle work relationships? Pray more.

Paul is not giving a formula for success, but a foundation to build your faith journey upon.

Upstairs/Downstairs

Re:Verse passage – Colossians 3:18-4:1 (day two)

…knowing that you too have a Master in heaven. 4:1b

I have a confession. I really enjoy English period dramas. There, I’ve said it, now you can form whatever opinions of me that you like. I am a fan of English music, architecture, history, and literature. So it will come as no surprise to you that we watch Downton Abbey quite a bit in our home. Throughout the series there is a clearly defined boundary between upstairs and downstairs. Much of the series is about pushing these boundaries, or at least testing their limits, but they exist nonetheless. The truth is, however, that even those who lived upstairs, the aristocracy, were bound by the rules and conventions as well. No one was completely without some sort of rules for living.

Our freedom comes from serving others, but truly from serving Christ. We are only free in light of his authority. This must be the catalyst for how we comport every relationship, every business, every institution if we are to accurately claim to be followers of Christ. We must treat others as if we are clearly under his authority.

Whatever You Do

Re:Verse passage – Colossians 3:10-17 (day two) Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. vs. 17

As much I love verse 16, it is this charge that Paul gives in the next verse that has helped shape me as a husband, father, pastor, friend. Don’t you find it at least more difficult to pray for someone if you have prayed for or with them? When you see someone that you disagree with and remember that they, too, are a child of God, shouldn’t it make your conversation go differently? If we are to take this at face value then we must reconcile that Jesus is near at all times. He see us when we argue needlessly and selfishly. When we lie or cheat another, he is there. We need to act like we believe this verse. All the time.