The Healing Touch
Opening Prayer
Take a moment to focus on God. Pray that your mind and heart will be open to listening to him.
Read LUKE 8:40-56
[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, 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. [56] Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What do you see and learn about Jesus here?The disciples experience culture shock from being in a new area with a disturbing encounter and it’s back to work.
How did Jesus pace himself and prioritize his actions when faced with so much need? Jesus was going towards a dying child (42) when he got caught up in a logjam of people. Someone was healed by touching him and he sensed that power had left him (46). So was Peter being the apprentice and learning from the master? Or was he being the bodyguard and bouncer who protected the leader (45)?
And what was Jairus thinking? Did he see this miracle of the woman healed? Or was he too caught up in his own pain? Had someone else pushed ahead of him, received healing and, worst of all, delayed him?
But of course Jairus’ position in line didn’t matter. “Just believe”; that’s what Jesus said (50). And Jairus did, and his daughter got up. This time they were told to keep quiet. There was a risk that Jesus was going to be known as a wonder-worker first, not the Son of God.
Apply
Has Jesus helped or healed you or someone close to you? If so, be sure to thank him now.
Closing prayer
Lord, I do believe in Your loving care, Your power and Your readiness to help in any situation I face.
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