Luke 8 describes two events occurring just after Jesus and the disciples leave Decapolis. Now back in Capernaum, He encounters a well-known man named Jairus, whose daughter is near death. Hearing of Jesus’ return, Jairus rushes to the Lord and implores Him to come to his house and heal the girl. Jesus agrees, and they set off.
Along the way, as the crowd crushes in on Jesus and the disciples, the Lord suddenly feels power leave His body.
“But Jesus said, ‘Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.’” (Luke 8:46)
A woman who had been bleeding for twelve years had crawled through the crowd, simply hoping to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment. She believed Jesus would heal her if she could touch—even skim—His tunic. Verse 44 says, “Immediately, her flow of blood stopped.”
Jesus calls her out of the crowd to confess her actions, much to the crowd’s dismay. They were aghast at her! After all, she was not only a woman but also an “unclean” woman. Very humbly and fearfully, she confesses what she did, which could have resulted in her death. But Jesus lovingly responds to her.
“Daughter, be of good cheer. Your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” (Lk 8:48)
Jesus healed the woman instantly, and she joyfully went her way.
Jesus then takes Peter, James, and John and continues to Jairus’ house, where a servant comes out tearfully saying the girl is already dead. Indeed, Jesus sees the wailing women-for-hire already inside the house, “crying” and yelling at the top of their lungs. He turns to them and says, “Do not weep. She is not dead but sleeping (v52).” The women immediately stop wailing and begin laughing at Him.
Because of their ridicule (i.e., lack of faith), Jesus drives them outside with His divine power and turns His attention to the little girl. He takes her cold hand and says, “Little girl, arise (v54).” She instantly awakes with her “spirit returned (v55).” Her parents were astonished! Their beloved daughter was alive again! And the people forced outside were left stunned.
What is Sozo Faith?
These two stories illustrate the kind of faith Jesus loks for in all of us. In Greek, this kind of faith is called sozo (“sode-zoh”). It means to save, deliver, heal, or preserve from danger or loss, even from physical death.
Both Jairus and the bleeding woman exemplified sozo faith. They had unwavering, solid faith and absolutely, unquestioningly believed that Jesus could heal, save, and deliver them.
Jairus had already witnessed Jesus performing a miracle in the synagogue in Luke 4:33-37. He knew and trusted the Lord’s power. But he also likely remembered that the townspeople expected a certain behavior from such a prominent citizen. Tossing it all aside, his sozo faith compelled him to approach Jesus, shamelessly requesting Him to heal his daughter.
Likewise, the bleeding woman was willing to make an entire crowd ritually unclean and risk further ostracization or even death just to have the tiniest chance of touching Jesus’ garment. Jesus quickly recognized her sozo faith, which is why He said, “Your faith has made you well.”
Both the woman and Jairus utterly believed in Jesus’ power to heal and save. They exemplified sozo faith.
Physical and Spiritual Healing
Recall that sozo also means preserving from danger, including death. Therefore, sozo faith also includes spiritual healing
In saying, “Go in peace,” Jesus forgave the woman and healed her soul, sealing her for eternity in heaven. The same is true of the little girl; her resurrection is evidence of Jesus’ mercy. He preserved them both from danger, including death. The power He showed to them, whether given or taken according to His sovereign will, healed them physically and spiritually in one beautiful moment.
Sozo faith is what the Lord wants. He wants us to trust Him completely and without reservation. He does not want us to have a single doubt about His power and compassion. Whatever circumstance, even if it seems impossible, Jesus can overwhelmingly heal, deliver, and save according to His will.
This is not to say that we must have sozo faith for God to move in our lives. It is not a requirement. Both Jairus and the bleeding woman show us that if we have sozo faith, we stand out in the crowd, and Jesus takes special notice.
Do you have sozo faith? Put your trust in God today. Boldly reach out and touch Him. Let nothing stop you. Then watch what He does.
“Do not be afraid. Stand still and see the salvation of the LORD.” (Ex 14:13, NKJ)
“Taste and see that the LORD is good.” (Ps 34:8, CSB)
