Day 233: In touch with Jesus – Luke 8 vs 40 – 56

40-42 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him.  And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And, falling at Jesus' feet, he implored him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. 43 As Jesus went, the people pressed around him, and there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone.  44 She came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased.  45-47 And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

49 While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler's house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.”  50 But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” 51 And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child.  52 And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he  said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but  sleeping.” 53-55 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.  But, taking her by the hand, he called, saying, “Child,  arise.” And her spirit returned and she got up at once. 56 And he directed that something should be given to her to eat.  And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened. Luke 8:40-56 English Standard Version

I mentioned in an earlier post that I thought a big reason why Luke described 4 amazing miracles in this chapter may have been to encourage all who would read his gospel to have faith in Jesus, and to trust Christ completely even in life’s darkest situations. Both Jairus and the woman with the blood discharge were certainly going though such a dark time. What struck you the most in these two miracles?

I was encouraged by how Jesus made time for individuals despite the crowds around him. (vs 40-42) I'm sure he saw the distress on Jairus' face. Yet, in the middle of going to help Jairus, Jesus also made time for an older lady who had reached out in the crowd to touch his garment. Not only did that touch of faith bring physical healing, Jesus made time to speak a personal word of blessing and encouragement to her. (vs 48)

Jairus must've been getting very impatient with the delay. And when news came that his daughter had died, one can imagine him thinking “if only Jesus hadn’t stopped to help that woman!” But again, Jesus saw his distress and spoke the words of comfort we see in vs 50. And then, after healing the girl, we see a tenderness in vs 56 as Jesus tells the parents to give the girl something to eat. What do these incidents suggest to you the sort of person Jesus is?

I think we see in Jesus the same sort of love that we read of God in Psalm 103. The Psalm writer said there that: “The Lord redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. The  Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He does not punish us for all our sins; He does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. The Lord is like a father to His children, tender and compassionate to those who fear Him. For He knows how weak we are; He remembers we are only dust.” (vs 4-13)

The woman had only touched Jesus' garment, yet she experienced all that the writer of Psalm 103 tells us about God's love. We should take courage too. His love and power are just as real today. And even if delays seem to get in the way, He will do what is best for us in every situation. Touch Him by faith – trust Him in love.