Luke – Wide Open Doors!
That’s our Jesus. When we put all our faith, hope and trust in Jesus, life changes. Life is restored. Life takes on new meaning. A relationship with Him transforms who we are to who He wants us to be. It doesn’t matter who you are, how rich or poor, or if you are a leader or an outcast of society. Jesus, Son of God has the power to give life.
Luke 8, New Living Translation
Jesus Heals in Response to Faith
40 On the other side of the lake the crowds welcomed Jesus, because they had been waiting for him. 41 Then a man named Jairus, a leader of the local synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come home with him. 42 His only daughter, who was about twelve years old, was dying.
As Jesus went with him, he was surrounded by the crowds. 43 A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. 44 Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped.
45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you.”
46 But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.” 47 When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed. 48 “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
49 While he was still speaking to her, a messenger arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. He told him, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.”
50 But when Jesus heard what had happened, he said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed.”
51 When they arrived at the house, Jesus wouldn’t let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, James, and the little girl’s father and mother. 52 The house was filled with people weeping and wailing, but he said, “Stop the weeping! She isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.”
53 But the crowd laughed at him because they all knew she had died. 54 Then Jesus took her by the hand and said in a loud voice, “My child, get up!” 55 And at that moment her life returned, and she immediately stood up! Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were overwhelmed, but Jesus insisted that they not tell anyone what had happened.
THINK ABOUT IT…
When Jesus returned to Capernaum, the people welcomed Him, particularly a man and a woman who each had heavy burdens to share with Jesus. The contrast here is interesting, for it shows the variety of people who came to Jesus for help.
The man’s name is given (Jairus), but the woman is anonymous. Jairus was a wealthy leading citizen, but the woman was a lowly person who had spent all her money trying to get well. Here was a man interceding for his child and a woman hoping to get help for herself, and both came to the feet of Jesus.
The common denominator? Falling humbly at the feet of Jesus with faith knowing He can do what others cannot.
How long has it been since we stopped worrying and just fell humbly at the feet of our Lord and Savior in pure faith, without question?
On our knees by our bedside or couch can turn any place in our homes into a altar of submissive prayer with faith knowing Jesus will respond. Like the woman we, too, can come in faith, reach out to touch the hem of the King’s robe spiritually and expect a change in our relationship with Him. Jarius, who led a synagogue, but unlike other leaders who gave Jesus trouble, chooses to desperately seek out the Healer for help. His faith was tested but Jesus looked him in the eye and said, “Don’t be afraid, just have faith.”
We, too, can seek out help for whatever is bothering us or holding us back from life. It doesn’t matter what position in life we hold, it matters what position we are in when we ask for help…on our knees.
Are you afraid? Is your faith being tested?
There is hope. There will always be hope if faith is the common denominator in our lives.
Jesus gives life where there is only death. Our faith helps us to rely on His timing, His way, His purpose and plan. His touch changes hearts forever. Our faith in Jesus brings life eternal for our souls.
When physical healing doesn’t come in this life, by faith we know that complete healing will be done in heaven forever with Jesus.
Yes, Thy will be done, not ours. Faith in Jesus is the common denominator.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for consistently building our faith with Your stories of truth from Your Word. You are God and we are not. There is no one like you. There is no one I can completely trust on earth, on this journey, but you. Yes, I believe. My faith is in you alone for all of life here and then forever with you.
Thank you for allowing us to come to you with everything that is on our hearts each day. Thank you for desiring a relationship with your created. Thank you for loving me. I love you with all my heart, mind and soul. Help me to love others like you love me.
In Jesus Name, Amen