In Luke 8:43-48, we see a remarkable story that captures two fundamental ways through which healing manifests: faith and forgiveness. These principles are not only central to the teachings of Christ but also hold the key to experiencing the power of God in our lives today.
Faith Requires Action
The story begins with a woman who had been suffering from a chronic flow of blood for twelve years. Despite seeking help from countless doctors, no one could heal her. However, when she heard about Jesus, she decided to act on her faith. Luke 8:44 says, “She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.”
This woman’s action was not passive; it was deliberate and intentional. Faith, as we learn throughout scripture, is not simply wishful thinking or empty words. James 2:17 declares, “Faith without works is dead.” Faith demands movement. It demands an action that aligns with what we believe God can and will do.
Jesus’ response to this woman demonstrates the connection between faith and authority. He asked, “Who touched me?” (Luke 8:45). The disciples, confused, pointed out that the crowds were pressing against Him. But Jesus knew that this was not an ordinary touch—“Someone did touch me, for I was aware that power had left me” (Luke 8:46).
Here lies a significant truth: when we take an action of faith, it releases the dunamis, or power, of God. This power is not passive. It is the dynamite-like, miraculous power that transforms circumstances. In this case, the woman’s understanding of Jesus’ authority allowed her to act in faith and receive her healing.
Faith and Authority Are Connected
One of the clearest illustrations of faith and authority working together is found in the story of the centurion in Matthew 8. The centurion came to Jesus on behalf of his servant who was paralyzed and suffering. Instead of asking Jesus to come in person, the centurion said, “Only speak the word, and my servant will be healed” (Matthew 8:8).
This man understood authority. As a centurion, he commanded soldiers under him and knew that his word carried power. He recognized that Jesus’ authority operated in a similar way. Jesus marveled at his faith, saying, “I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel” (Matthew 8:10).
What can we learn from this? Great faith is directly tied to an understanding of authority. When we recognize the authority of Christ and act under that authority, our faith has the power to release the miraculous. The centurion’s servant was healed because his faith acted within the framework of Jesus’ authority.
The Role of Forgiveness in Healing
The second way healing manifests is through the forgiveness of sins. In Luke 5:17-26, a paralyzed man is brought to Jesus by his friends. Seeing their faith, Jesus says, “Man, your sins are forgiven you” (Luke 5:20). The Pharisees, shocked and offended, questioned Jesus’ authority to forgive sins. Jesus responded, “Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’?” (Luke 5:23).
Jesus was making a profound point: forgiveness and healing are deeply intertwined. The root of sickness and disease entered the world through sin (Genesis 3). Therefore, to break the curse of sickness, sin had to be dealt with. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross accomplished this. Isaiah 53:5 declares, “By His stripes we are healed.” Healing flows from the same work of redemption that provides forgiveness.
Many people struggle to receive healing because they remain burdened by guilt, condemnation, or a sense of unworthiness. This is especially true among Christians who are often more sin-conscious than unbelievers. They believe in the forgiveness of Christ intellectually, but they have not fully received it in their hearts.
To receive healing, we must first receive forgiveness. When Jesus said, “Your sins are forgiven you,” He was not dismissing the man’s physical condition—He was addressing the root cause. Once forgiveness was declared, healing followed.
Authority Releases Power
Returning to Luke 8, we see that the woman with the issue of blood understood this principle intuitively. By her action of faith, she placed herself under the authority of Christ. This released the dunamis power of God, which brought immediate healing.
Authority (exousia) and power (dunamis) work hand-in-hand. Exousia refers to the legal right to act, while dunamis refers to the ability or strength to perform. Jesus operated under divine authority, and when He spoke or acted, power was released. The same applies to us as believers. Jesus said in Luke 10:19, “Behold, I give you authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
When we pray for healing or any breakthrough, we must do so with confidence in the authority Christ has given us. It is not our own power that brings results, but His power working through us. By understanding and operating under His authority, we can see His dunamis power manifest in extraordinary ways.
Conclusion: Receiving Healing by Faith and Forgiveness
Healing comes through two primary avenues: faith and forgiveness. Faith requires action. It is not passive but steps out boldly, believing in the authority of Christ. Forgiveness, on the other hand, addresses the root cause of sickness—sin—and releases us from guilt, condemnation, and the curse.
Whether you are believing for physical healing, emotional restoration, or a breakthrough in your life, remember that the power of God is available to you. Act on your faith, come under the authority of Christ, and receive His forgiveness. It is through these two powerful principles that we experience the miraculous power of God in our lives. As Jesus said, “Your faith has made you well. Go in peace” (Luke 8:48).