Thursday, January 17, 2019

Jesus Speaks to Women: The Healing Touch of Jesus

Just like the passage about Mary, the mother of Jesus coming with His brothers to see Him, and Him pointing out to the fact that His family are those who hear His voice and obey His Word, is found not only in Luke, as we discussed it earlier in Matthew, today's exchanges with women are also recorded not only in Luke, but also in Matthew and in Mark's as well.

The fact that three of the Gospel writers were inspired to include these events in their accounts of Jesus' walk on this earth warms my heart and astounds me all at once.  I don't have to repeat the fact that women, back in those times, were worth about the same as cattle...some even less.  So, for the Gospels to contain stories about how Jesus not only answered petitions that involved the healing of women, but more amazingly, often reached out to women Himself and initiated the healing, forgiving, comforting, bring great joy to my feminine heart...and reassures me that in the Kingdom of Christ, it truly doesn't matter who you are.  He looks at the heart, and by His blood and sacrifice He makes us all new.

The passage we are pondering today includes two instances, one, we already reviewed when we encountered it in Matthew 9: 20-22.  The other one, even though it is also in Matthew 9, we set aside to consider it today, with Luke's version of the same incident:  the healing of Jairus daughter.

In both instances, we see the Healing Touch of Jesus.  There are a couple of differences, though, let's read the entire passage as Luke recorded it in chapter 8: 40-56.  We are not going to rush through this, because I believe there is much to discern out of this portion of Scripture, so just take time to read it, and as you do, think about the following:
1.  How many healing instances are recorded in this passage?
2.  What are the reactions of the people who witnessed these healings?
3.  How does Jesus react to what people say to Him?
4.  Are there any differences in the healing instances described in this passage? Explain.

So, let's read and ponder on the questions above.  Then, we'll get back to the passage and the answers in our next meeting.  May the Holy Spirit bring light to His Word and allow us to have understanding of the message that Jesus speaks to us today! Amen!  Enjoy:

40 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.  Luke 8: 40-56

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