Saturday 28 July, 2018

18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples. 20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” 22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment. 23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region.

This familiar but powerful passage presents 2 beautiful personal encounters with the Lord Jesus, which lets us see into his heart full of compassion.

Unlike the Pharisees and John the Baptist’s disciples in verses 11 and 14, Jesus was not obsessed with rules (note verse 13). Rather, he is obsessed with people’s lives, and what is important to them. This reminds me that we have a personal God who longs for relationship with us.

Both miracles relied on people stepping out in faith, as they activated their faith in Jesus’ authority and power, their encounters impacted so many others. Not only their own lives were changed by just a touch from Jesus, but just imagine the reaction of the people watching on or in the crowd. Imagine the generations of Jairus’ family who followed, hearing the story that their mother or grandmother had been raised from the dead by a touch from Jesus. I like to think that this little girl was the beginning of a long line of believers because her father acted on his faith.

When I exercise my faith, I give God the opportunity to show his mercy and power in my life, not just for myself but for all those “watching on” around me.

When I think about activating my faith everyday, I reflect on the cost to each of the people who were healed or asked for healing for someone else. They acted against the social and religious rules of the day, approaching Jesus and asking for a miracle. I can do the same and expect him to respond because my God is a loving God.

Jesus, thank you for your endless mercy to me, and for your touch just when I need it the most. Make me active in my faith, not relying on myself. Don’t let me wait till I am desperate, rather prompt me by your Holy Spirit to seek miracles! Thank you merciful Jesus. Amen

Written by Claire Moore