Five-minute read.
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.
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. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. 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. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
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.” But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” 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. And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” 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. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.
Luke 8:40-56
Interruptible, Jesus didn’t get upset when the woman touched His cloak. While walking to Jarius’s home, the woman who suffered from a bleeding ailment for twelve years touched the hem of Christ’s garment, her faith trusting He could heal her. The Centurion’s daughter, dying from an unknown cause, had lived as long as the woman had bled, twelve years, with very different tales for the two females. The moment the woman touched the Savior, she experienced healing, and Jesus felt the power go from Him. When He asks, “Who was it that touched me?” it implies the Lord didn’t know. But I think Jesus did know and wanted the woman to speak up and take responsibility for her actions.
Following Jesus requires self-awareness and the ability to own our actions. If we can’t see our sin, we can’t confess it. Over the years, I’ve met many people blinded to their misdeeds, blaming everyone else for the troubles in their lives. And sometimes, we do experience difficulties through no fault of our own, as the bleeding woman did. But her faith led her to follow Jesus and seek healing from Him. When Christ asked who touched Him, He did it for her sake, not His. When she responded, falling at Jesus’s feet, the healed woman declared her faith publicly and received God’s peace in return.
The Savior gets interrupted again as someone informs Jarius and Jesus that the girl has died. Without flinching, the Lord tells them not to worry; she will “be well.” Arriving at the house, Jesus takes Peter, James, John, and the parents into the house to witness the miracle of her resurrection. After watching the miracle, Christ tells them to tell no one and get the girl some food. What a moment for the grieved parents to experience.
When God works miracles in our lives, it can overwhelm us. Divine moments take time to process. As we reflect on the Lord’s work for us, our faith deepens, and we draw closer to the Savior. Jesus performed two miracles that changed both people’s lives forever. Each day we allow God to work in and through us, it changes us and impacts those around us. Expect miracles, and you will receive them in the Lord’s way and His timing.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for making miracles happen in our lives. Please give us eyes to see and ears to hear Your workings. Show us how we can participate in Your will, growing and maturing as we do and impacting the world around us for Christ.
IJNIP. Amen
