While he was thus
speaking to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying,
"My daughter has just died; but come and lay your hand on her, and
she will live." And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. And
behold, a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up
behind him and touched the fringe of his garment; for she said to herself,
"If I only touch his garment, I shall be made well." Jesus turned,
and seeing her he said, "Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you
well." And instantly the woman was made well. And when Jesus came to
the ruler's house, and saw the flute players, and the crowd making a tumult, he
said, "Depart; for the girl is not dead but sleeping." And they
laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took
her by the hand, and the girl arose. And the report of this went through
all that district.
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Do you take your
troubles to the Lord with expectant faith and confidence in his help? People in
desperate or helpless circumstances were not disappointed when they sought
Jesus out. What drew them to Jesus? Was it hope for a miracle or a word of
comfort in their affliction? What did the elderly woman who had suffered
greatly for twelve years expect Jesus to do for her? And what did a grieving
father expect Jesus to do about his lost beloved daughter? Jesus gave hope
where there seemed to be no human cause for it because his hope was directed to
God. He spoke words of hope to the woman (Take heart, daughter!) to
ignite the spark of faith in her (your faith has made you well!). And he
also gave divine hope to a father who had just lost a beloved child. It took
considerable courage and risk for the ruler of a synagogue to openly go to
Jesus and to invite the scorn of his neighbors and kin. Even the hired mourners
laughed at him in scorn. Their grief was devoid of any hope.
Nonetheless, Jesus took the girl by the hand and delivered her from the grasp
of death. In both instances we see Jesus' personal concern for the needs of
others and his readiness to heal and restore life.
In Jesus we see
the infinite love of God extending to each and every individual as he gives
freely and wholly of himself to each person he meets. Do you approach the
Lord with confident expectation that he will hear your request and act?
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"Lord Jesus, you
love each of us individually with a unique and personal love. Touch my life
with your saving power, heal and restore me to fullness of life. Help me to
give wholly of myself in loving service to others."
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