Monday 21 October, 2019

40 Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. 41 Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years,[a] but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. 45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” 47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” 49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.” 50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” 51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. 52 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” 53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” 55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat.

I am struck by the woman who is healed through touching Jesus’ cloak. I am struck particularly by the awareness Jesus has of this moment. It says to me something very significant about Jesus. Jesus is personally aware when power goes out from Him. Even here in the midst of a thick crowd where He cannot specifically tell who around him is drawing healing power from Him, He knows that someone has just done so.

It seems Jesus does not want this miracle to finish without being personally involved in what He’s doing. Jesus is not a force that we can use or command, and He is certainly not an impersonal figurehead whose name we invoke. Jesus is personally invested in every answered prayer, every miracle wrought, every day of our lives in Him. Jesus wanted to know the woman who touched him, and encourage her faith personally.

Star wars may be an inspiring and enjoyable franchise, but I don’t think I’d ever feel a personal connection with the force. But I do feel an immense sense of being seen, and heard, and powerfully cared for by Jesus. I am so thankful He is my personal God and King.   Amen.

Written by Ps. Rob Waugh