Luke 8:40-56
And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling… (v. 47a) I recall re-reading one of my posts a few weeks ago that our sins are never hidden from God, even though we try to hide them from others and often, even from ourselves. But when we confess our sins, they are no longer hidden – they are brought to the light and are then forgiven and erased forever! I see a parallel in this woman’s faith-healing. She was physically healed when she touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, but then she tried to slink away. Knowing that she needed spiritual healing Jesus pushed, “Who touched Me?”. The crowd denied it, and when the woman knew that she would be found out she came forward and was fully healed: physically (…power has gone out from me…, v. 46b), spiritually (…your faith has made you well…, v. 48b), and emotionally (…go in peace, v. 48c). I hear stories at Freedom Road of the physical, spiritual, and emotional healing work that the Lord has done in the lives of my friends. It leaves me to ask if (or why!) I have not truly and fully repented of things I have done in the past. Maybe it’s time…
See also: April 29 / Luke 8:40-48; April 30 / Luke 8:49-56
“Do not trouble the Teacher any more.” (Luke 8:49) How often do we listen to the voices of those who would turn us from seeking the Lord? Some such voices are surely well-intentioned — as here, I do not perceive any malice in the statement — yet they come from a position of nonfaith, with a world view that discounts either that God exists at all or that He is good. Other such voices are not so well-intentioned and actively seek to discourage and disorient, as Satan has been doing from the beginning.
Both of the situations that Jesus addressed in today’s reading were hopeless on their face. The woman “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.” (Luke 8:43) And Jairus’ daughter was most assuredly dead. Clearly hopeless. Yet each nevertheless found hope through faith in Jesus, despite the voices of those around them without “eyes to see and ears to hear.”
Yes, we need to live in the “real world” and avoid the pitfalls of the “name it and claim it” or “prosperity gospel” perversions of the truth, but we must likewise never fall into the trap of despair and discouragement, for we do indeed have a loving Father Who cares far more deeply for us than we do ourselves.
Good points, guys. I heard the word humility in this passage. A high local administrator falling at Jesus’s feet. A woman who had once been rich enough for lots of doctors. How often do we know about Jesus but don’t come to Him, or even discourage others from reaching out because we see only the human solutions? “Whatever we create in our own strength, we will have to sustain in our own strength.” I need a lot more humility!
In both stories, Jesus made sure that it wasn’t His “magic”, but their faith in Him that made them whole, in mind, body, and spirit. That faith is a gift, but we can and do sometimes ignore the gift. Ouch.
Debbie, I like the realization you came to in your comments, “That faith is a gift, but we can and do ignore the gift. Ouch.” Ouch, indeed! Thank God for small groups like RTNT, like Freedom Road, etc. where we’re reminded through Scripture and personal outpourings of our need to recognize God’s gifts! Thank you.
I think sometimes that we give more weight to the worldly aspects of our blessings from prayer than we should, and not enough discernment or trust in the heavenly aspects. What if Jesus said to Jairus that because of his faith, his daughter is just sleeping and will awaken this day in glory in His Father’s house? Would Jairus be disappointed and walk away muttering that Jesus is not much of a miracle worker after all? But what a miracle that would have been! God’s ways are not our ways. Our sincere prayers always result in blessings, whether we realize the blessings as gifts or not.