I am always amazed in the Bible at the variety of ways that Jesus provides healing.  Sometimes He speaks other times he uses mud or spit.  He even heals simply by being touched.  Let’s look at two stories found in Luke 8 together today. 

 Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. 41 Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. 45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” 47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” 49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.” 50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” 51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. 52 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” 53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” 55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.

I love both of these stories.  First the woman who doesn’t even speak or ask Jesus for help.  Honestly if Jesus doesn’t insist on finding out who she is we probably would not even have a record of this story in the Bible.  It makes me wonder if, perhaps there are more such instances that are not recorded.  She simply touches the hem of His robe and is healed instantly.  Then we have the interaction with Jarius.  I wonder the series of emotions that Jarius must have gone through.  Perhaps hope as he was going to see Jesus.  I’m sure pain and grief when he is told his daughter is dead.  Then when Jesus says not to worry and goes with him I have no idea what his thoughts and emotions were then.  Ultimately joy and amazement as Jesus brings her back to life.  The beauty of our relationship with Jesus is that He walks with us through all of our emotions and He experienced them as well during His time on earth.  We worship a Savior who gets us.  He is with us and loves us each and every step of our journey on earth. 

In His Grip,
Pastor Dave