Luke 8:40–56 (ESV)
40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41 And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus’ feet, he implored him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. 43 And there was a woman who 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. 44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. 45 And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” 49 While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” 50 But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” 51 And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. 52 And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” 53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” 55 And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. 56 And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.
As I read this passage and the one before it, there are two details which always catch my eye. The first is that people were constantly falling at Jesus’ feet; the demon possessed man, the synagogue leader, and the woman with the issue of blood. In Luke’s Gospel the falling at Jesus feet is out of awe and wonder along with a healthy respect for Jesus. Mark’s Gospel records these same events but in Mark’s Gospel there is more of a “fear factor” involved in these encounters with Jesus.
The second detail that that draws my attention is what happed when Jesus arrived at Jairus’ house. When Jesus arrived, professional mourners were there weeping and wailing. Jesus tells them that the child is not dead, and they laugh at Him. That’s an important detail because it takes any doubt away regarding the condition of the little girl. She was dead, and everyone knew it, and that’s why they laughed at Jesus.
But the emphasis of this passage, and the one proceeding, is on the authority of Jesus. The two miraculous signs in this passage are another demonstration regarding the authority of Jesus first through a physical healing and then over death itself! This is something we will see again, ultimately expressed through the resurrection. As missional disciples of Christ, death is not the final solution or destination for us!
There is one final detail from both passages that we can’t overlook; Jesus touches the untouchable. In Jewish culture and context, the demon possessed man, the woman with the bleeding issue, and the dead child were all considered untouchable because of their conditions. Being around them and touching them would make a person ceremonially unclean and Jewish people would avoid this if they could, but not Jesus. He wades right into the mess of people’s lives and touches the untouchable and in doing so He provides healing beyond just the physical. Jesus brings about a saving wholeness as relationships are restored with family, friends, and the wider community.
As missional disciples, we need to follow Jesus. Our lives are to be lived out reaching out to others just as Jesus reached out to us.
How far are you willing to reach out to touch others for Jesus? Admittedly, there are times when it’s easy for us to reach out and times when it’s difficult, to say the least. But as we grow in our love and knowledge of Jesus and press on to faithfully follow where He leads us, we’ll always be amazed at His reach through us.
God bless you and know that you are prayed for constantly!
Scott