Day 89

Deuteronomy 13:1-15:23; Luke 8:40-9:6; Psalm 71:1-24; Proverbs 12:5-7

Jesus Gives Healing and Life

In our Luke passage today, we read of two major events in the ministry of Jesus: the healing of a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years and the raising from the dead of a twelve-year-old girl. Through each of these events, we learn something of the character and mission of Jesus.

The woman who came to Jesus in the crowd was outcast, made unclean under the law by her illness. She had no right to be there, much less to touch Jesus, but she believed enough in His power to heal her that she took the risk, desperately hoping not to be seen. But Jesus did not let her go unnoticed. He not only restored her to physical health, but He commended her faith and gave her a blessing of peace. By publicly pronouncing her healing and faith, Jesus, in His compassion, restored her to a whole and active life in her community.

In restoring Jairus’ daughter to life, Jesus displayed His power over death. He returned the little girl to her parents’ care, telling them to give her food. The Man who could return a spirit to a body cared about the needs of that body, the needs of the whole person. Jesus has promised to restore all believers to life, and He cares about all aspects of that life: physical and spiritual, emotional and social, on this earth and with Him in Eternity.

Jesus told His “daughter” that her faith had healed her. He urged Jairus not to be afraid, but to believe. He invites all of us to come to Him without fear, and with faith and trust for healing and for restored, authentic, abundant life.

Laura Madison