FAITH IN ACTION
Opening Prayer
Eternal One, forbid it that my words of praise be in words alone. May I always keep the road to my heart open to you.
Read MATTHEW 9:18–26
Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman
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.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
What need do you have that you want to bring to Jesus now? When we put our faith in him, he responds. Praise him.Two desperate situations unfold in today’s verses. Inevitably, the solution to both is found in Jesus and in his response to the faith of those in need.
Vulnerable females – a woman and a young girl – were brought to his attention (vs 18,20).
The woman would have been regarded as ‘unclean’ (v 20). Ignoring ceremonial rules and regulations (e.g., Leviticus 15), Jesus touched and restored both to full health – ‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full’ (John 10:10). Interestingly, against all odds (v 22), Jesus noticed the woman’s touch, despite a busy, jostling crowd (see Mark 5:30). In response to her faith, his divine power healed the woman immediately (v 22) – and soon it would also raise the dead girl (v 25).
The synagogue leader (named Jairus in Mark and Luke’s accounts), like the woman, trusted Jesus completely, believing that he would raise his daughter to life (v 18). As he expected, Jesus’ power and authority prevailed. What great faith! And what a great reminder for us to trust God, even when everything seems hopeless (Luke 1:37)!
Apply
Jesus met raw need with compassion and positive action. With the power and authority that can only come from trusting Jesus, pray for an opportunity to help someone who is struggling.
Closing prayer
Mighty God. I long to serve you in quiet and unassuming ways as Jesus served the woman and the child. Use me for your glory.
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