Author: Joseph Ajayi

  • Rahab’s Faith: The Confidence That Enters God’s Hall of Fame

    How a harlot’s faith became a model of trust, courage, and transformation

    In the great gallery of faith recorded in Hebrews 11—often referred to as the “Hall of Faith”—you’ll find patriarchs like Abraham, warriors like Gideon, and prophets like Moses. But nestled among these giants stands a surprising name: Rahab the harlot.

    How did a woman with such a disreputable past earn her place among the legends of faith? The answer lies in her bold declaration in Joshua 2:9:

    “I know that the Lord hath given you the land…”

    This wasn’t wishful thinking. It wasn’t religious rhetoric. It was unshakable confidence—a level of faith that pierced through her past and connected her to God’s eternal plan.

    1. Faith Built on Revelation, Not Religion

    Rahab was a Canaanite. She had no covenant with God. Yet, she heard about the mighty acts of the Lord—how He dried up the Red Sea and destroyed mighty kings. That knowledge sparked something deeper in her: conviction.

    When the Israelite spies arrived in Jericho, Rahab didn’t hesitate. She made a confession of faith that reflected certainty, not curiosity:

    “I KNOW that the Lord hath given you the land…” (Joshua 2:9)

    She didn’t say “I hope,” “I think,” or even “I believe.” She said, “I know.” That’s not just faith—it’s certainty based on spiritual insight. Same way Jesus by insight healed on sabbath, and religious leaders were against him.

    2. Faith That Graduates into Trust

    Rahab’s faith wasn’t just a spoken confession—it was a risky decision. She hid the spies at the risk of her life. She tied a scarlet cord to her window as a token of her trust in God’s promise. She negotiated not just for her safety but for her entire household.

    This is what mature faith looks like—faith that graduates into trust. She moved from believing in what God could do to depending on what He would do.

    3. Faith That Redefines Identity

    Many people are trapped by their past, convinced that God only uses perfect people. Rahab destroys that myth.

    • She was known as a harlot.
    • She was a foreigner.
    • She had no spiritual résumé.

    Yet, her faith rewrote her story. Not only did she survive the fall of Jericho, she became the great-great-grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus Christ Himself (Matthew 1:5).

    Faith qualifies the disqualified. When God sees faith, He doesn’t consult your history—He reveals your destiny.

    4. Faith That Unlocks the Supernatural

    Jesus echoed this principle in Mark 9:23:

    “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”

    Rahab believed before she saw the walls fall. She believed before she saw salvation. And because she believed, everything changed. Her story was a reflection of Jesus that went to the cross to give us the crown.

    Faith sees the invisible, speaks the impossible, and acts on the intangible. Rahab’s story is proof that faith doesn’t wait for circumstances to align—it creates new realities.

    Conclusion: Faith That Enters God’s Record Books

    Just like the story of the woman with the issue of blood, Rahab’s journey from shame to significance reminds us that faith is the key to transformation. She had no title, no background, no religious upbringing—but she had faith.

    And that was enough.

    So the next time you feel unworthy, uncertain, or unqualified, remember Rahab. God isn’t looking for perfection—He’s looking for people who say, “I KNOW the Lord has given…”

    Because faith that knows is the faith that grows.
    And faith that grows is the faith that enters God’s Hall of Fame. At the end the word works for Rahab, the word will work for you as well.

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  • Why Did God Command Death for Sabbath Violation, But Jesus Healed on the Sabbath? – A Biblical Perspective.

    One of the most striking contrasts in the Bible is how Sabbath observance was treated in the Old Testament compared to the actions and teachings of Jesus in the New Testament. In Numbers 15:32–36, a man was put to death for gathering sticks on the Sabbath. Yet in the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly healed people on the Sabbath, and when challenged by the Pharisees, He defended His actions. How do we reconcile these two seemingly contradictory approaches?

    Let’s examine both the Old Testament account and the New Testament examples, and then explore why they differ—and what it reveals about God’s nature and His evolving relationship with humanity.

    The Old Testament Account: Numbers 15:32–36

    The Incident

    “While the Israelites were in the wilderness, a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day…” (Numbers 15:32)

    A man was caught collecting sticks on the Sabbath—a clear violation of the fourth commandment. Since there was no precedent for how to handle such a case, Moses sought God’s direction.

    God’s Judgment

    “The man must surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp.” (Numbers 15:35)

    God ordered the man’s execution, and the entire community participated in carrying out the judgment.

    Why Such a Harsh Penalty?

    • Covenant Violation: At this stage in Israel’s history, the Sabbath was not merely a day of rest—it was a covenant sign between God and His people (see Exodus 31:16-17). Breaking it was a public rejection of that covenant.
    • Deliberate Defiance: The man’s actions were not innocent or accidental. Gathering wood implied preparing to cook or do other work, suggesting a willful disregard for God’s command.
    • Community Preservation: In a theocratic society, strict adherence to God’s law was essential to maintain spiritual order, purity, and God’s presence among the people.

    Jesus and the Sabbath in the New Testament

    In stark contrast, the Gospels show Jesus healing, teaching, and even allowing work on the Sabbath. Here are several powerful examples where Jesus clashed with the Pharisees over His Sabbath actions:

    1. Healing the Man with a Withered Hand

    • Reference: Matthew 12:9–14; Mark 3:1–6; Luke 6:6–11
    • Location: Synagogue
    • What Happened: Jesus healed a man with a shriveled (withered) hand and asked, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath?”
    • Pharisees’ Reaction: They were enraged and began plotting to destroy Him.

    2. Healing the Crippled Woman

    • Reference: Luke 13:10–17
    • Location: Synagogue
    • What Happened: Jesus healed a woman bent over for 18 years. He rebuked the synagogue leader who objected.
    • Jesus’ Words: “Should not this woman… be set free on the Sabbath day?”

    3. Healing the Man with Dropsy (Edema)

    • Reference: Luke 14:1–6
    • Location: Pharisee’s house
    • What Happened: Jesus healed a man suffering from abnormal swelling.
    • Pharisees’ Reaction: They were silent, unable to refute His reasoning.

    4. Healing the Paralyzed Man at Bethesda

    • Reference: John 5:1–18
    • Location: Pool of Bethesda
    • What Happened: Jesus healed a man who had been invalid for 38 years and told him to carry his bed and walk.
    • Jewish Leaders’ Reaction: They accused Jesus of breaking Sabbath law.

    5. Healing the Man Born Blind

    • Reference: John 9:1–34
    • Location: Outside the temple
    • What Happened: Jesus made mud, applied it to the man’s eyes, and healed him.
    • Pharisees’ Reaction: They argued Jesus couldn’t be from God because He didn’t “keep” the Sabbath.

    6. Disciples Picking Grain on the Sabbath

    • Reference: Matthew 12:1–8; Mark 2:23–28; Luke 6:1–5
    • What Happened: The disciples picked grain as they walked through fields.
    • Jesus’ Defense: He referenced David eating the consecrated bread and declared, “The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.”

    So, Why the Difference?

    1. Different Covenants

    • Old Covenant (Numbers 15): Under the Law of Moses, Israel was bound by strict regulations, and violations were treated with severity to uphold divine holiness.
    • New Covenant (Jesus’ Ministry): Jesus came to fulfill the law, not abolish it (Matthew 5:17). His mission emphasized grace, mercy, and the heart behind the command. No wonder Jesus suffered the cross to win the crown

    2. Different Purposes

    • The Sabbath, according to Jesus, was meant for restoration, not just restriction: “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27)
    • While the man in Numbers broke the Sabbath for personal convenience, Jesus “worked” on the Sabbath to bless and heal others—in alignment with God’s compassionate heart.

    3. Jesus’ Divine Authority

    • Jesus had the authority to reinterpret the law because He was Lord of the Sabbath. His healings revealed not only His power but also God’s intention for the Sabbath—to bring healing, not burden.

    4. Heart Motive vs. Rule-Keeping

    • The man in Numbers defied God’s word.
    • Jesus acted in perfect obedience, demonstrating that doing good and showing mercy honors the true spirit of the Sabbath.

    Final Thoughts

    The story in Numbers 15 may feel harsh to modern readers, but it reflects the seriousness of covenant law in ancient Israel. On the other hand, Jesus’ actions show how God’s ultimate desire is not ritualistic obedience but a heart aligned with His mercy, justice, and love as also in the case of Rahab the harlot.

    The contrast isn’t a contradiction—it’s a fulfillment. Jesus didn’t cancel the Sabbath; He clarified its purpose. He showed us that God’s laws are meant to give life, not take it, and that mercy always triumphs over judgment (James 2:13).

    Would you also want to learn about the touch that changed everything? Read about it here.

    Feel free to contact me for your awesome testimony.

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  • The Touch that Changed Everything: The Woman with the Issue of Blood

    In a moment of desperation, a woman whose name we do not know changed the course of her life with a single act of faith. Her story is recorded in three of the four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—each offering a unique perspective on one of the most powerful healing miracles in the ministry of Jesus.

    This account, often referred to as “The Woman with the Issue of Blood,” is not just a story of physical healing—it’s a testament to faith, resilience, and the compassion of Christ.

    A Long-Standing Affliction

    The woman had been suffering from a chronic hemorrhage for twelve years. According to Levitical law (Leviticus 15:25-27), such a condition rendered her ceremonially unclean, which meant exclusion from normal social and religious life.

    Despite spending all she had on physicians, her condition only worsened. Her physical pain was compounded by emotional and spiritual isolation. Yet, hope was not lost.

    A Bold Move of Faith

    In Matthew 9:20-22, the story is told briefly. She approached Jesus from behind, believing that touching even the hem of His garment would be enough to heal her. As soon as she did, Jesus turned and said:

    “Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.” (Matthew 9:22)

    Immediately, she was healed.

    Mark’s Detailed Account: A Touch Felt in Heaven

    Mark 5:25-34 provides the most detailed version of this encounter. Mark explains that she had “suffered many things of many physicians” and spent all her money trying to find a cure. Yet, when she touched Jesus’ garment, she felt the healing instantly.

    But what’s striking is what happened next. Jesus, sensing that power had gone out from Him, stopped and asked:

    “Who touched my clothes?” (Mark 5:30)

    His disciples were confused by the question, surrounded as they were by a pressing crowd. But Jesus wasn’t looking for a random bump—He was responding to a deliberate act of faith.

    The woman, trembling, stepped forward and confessed. Jesus didn’t scold her; instead, He honored her courage and belief:

    “Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.” (Mark 5:34)

    Luke’s Emphasis on Medical Helplessness

    Luke 8:43-48, written by a physician, underscores her medical hopelessness. Despite spending all her money, “she could not be healed by anyone.” But Luke confirms that when she touched Jesus, her bleeding stopped instantly.

    Again, Jesus asked, “Who touched me?” And when the woman came forward, He told her:

    “Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.” (Luke 8:48)

    The Heart of the Story: Faith That Moves the Hand of God

    This woman’s story is more than just physical healing—it’s a spiritual awakening. She risked public shame, rejection, and even punishment to reach out in faith. She didn’t need an audience with Jesus, a lengthy prayer, or a dramatic ceremony. She just needed to believe. She needed a miracle, and she got one. – “A deliberate act of God provoked by the desperate faith of men” – Bishop David Oyedepo

    And Jesus didn’t just heal her body—He restored her dignity by calling her “Daughter,” publicly affirming her worth and her faith. Just the same way a harlot – Rahab was accepted into the hall of fame, synonymous to Jesus’ story of cross to crown.

    Lessons for Us Today

    • Faith isn’t passive. It moves. It acts. It reaches out even when the odds seem stacked against us.
    • Jesus responds to faith. Even in a crowd, He notices the individual who touches Him with genuine belief.
    • Restoration is holistic. Jesus doesn’t just heal physically—He restores spiritually, emotionally, and socially.

    Final Thoughts

    The woman with the issue of blood reminds us that no situation is too hopeless for Jesus. Whether you’ve been battling something for 12 years, 12 Months or 12 days—faith has the power to break through every barrier. “For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37). It is also important to note that Jesus would do anything to heal you even on the sabbath against the belief of the pharisees, if he had to.

    Let her story be your encouragement today: Reach out. Touch Him. And be made whole. You are next in line for a miracle!

    Feel free to contact me for your awesome testimony.

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