22. Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment. 23. When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, 24. he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. 25. After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26. News of this spread through all that region.
Jesus is the hope. He was the one who felt the touch of the woman and sensed power had left him. “Who touched me? (Luke 8:45a) The disciples were confused. The crowd came with curiosity and excitement.
A miracle worker came amongst them. They wanted to see Him causing many to be pushing, shoving and touching. This was the work of the Holy Spirit under the authority of the Father working through the Son. John 5:19 says Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”
This was the will of the Father and the power through the Son. This power was sensed when Jesus was touched. I know there are times when someone feels drained when working with others in counseling or even if one feels like he or she is going through a spiritual battle. There are times when I sense the work of the Holy Spirit present in a situation or spiritual activity. Jesus knew this. And there are times when I didn’t know it at the time, but, in reflection, it pointed to the work of God.
It is not the superstitious activity of touching His garments or clothing that brought about healing. There was nothing holy or important about that cloth. It was the Savior Himself that made the difference. It was faith in Him that God honored. She confessed and told the whole story. The part when she was afraid and wanted to hide was the very thing that caused her to be made public. Christ calls those who follow Him to be publicly identified with Him. This was one way God was glorifying the Son. It was the testimony of His power over sickness that no one else could heal. It was instantaneous. It was the work of God.
Jarius’ faith was seen in his obedience when he humbled himself at the feet of Jesus. After hearing of the child’s death, it would be easy to give up for all that could be done was now over. How difficult it is to hear the news, but then came the Word of the Lord. “Only believe” “Do not fear. Come” He said, and they went into the house and He told others to clear the room which the father did and the parents and closest disciples came to the room to see and experience the greatest of miracles to take place on earth. It was the resurrection of the dead body of the daughter. To prove it she had something to eat and told them not to tell anyone about this. How could they not know?
It was so easy, like the woman, to shoot a quickie prayer out to Jesus hoping for help, but not really bothering the Savior to involve Himself. She received much more than what she asked for. When He looks with penetrating eyes searching for us who want His benefits without His personal blessing remember, He is the best answer to any such prayer. Can we like the man fall on our knees before the Christ and believe? Or like the woman declare before others the healing? Or do we want to keep it secret?
Jesus’ eternal touch will bring a resurrection. There may be times in our lives where it seems the light within just went out and there is no hope. This is where more people quit. Jesus wanted the folks to realize, it is faith that keeps going and the experience of faith is found in Him. Healing can only come from the healer.
Application: Do we trust in His love and power temporarily and forever?
Prayer: I trust You Lord.
