Today’s Reading: Matthew 12:38-45, 8:28-34, 9:18-26; Mark 5:1-43; Luke 11:24-32, 8:26-56
“Who is this man?”
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them.
When he saw the storms, he silenced them.
When he saw evil, he commanded it to flee.
As Jesus was climbing out of the boat, a man who was possessed by demons came out to meet him. For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in a cemetery outside of town…This spirit had often taken control of the man. Even when he was placed under guard and put in chains and shackles, he simply broke them and rushed into the wilderness, completely under the demon’s power. – Luke 8:27,29
This man may have been under the demon’s power, but Jesus had authority over the demon. He cast them out of this man, who was made to live among the dead. He freed him from this bondage and gave him new life. No power was too large for Jesus to control. He could calm the storm, overcome evil with good and Jesus could heal the dying.
When the sick reached out to him, he healed them.
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. His only daughter, who was about twelve years old, was dying. As Jesus went with him, he was surrounded by the crowds. A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped.
“Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you.”
But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.” 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. “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” – Luke 8:41-48
What a lonely, isolated life this woman must have experienced. She was considered unclean for twelve years and “untouchable” during her time of bleeding. Only her bleeding never stopped. That is until she reached out to Jesus. In the midst of her suffering and sickness, she reached out to touch the hem of her Savior’s garment and her life was forever changed.
When death threatens to undo us, Jesus takes us by the hand and says, “My child, get up!”
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.”
But when Jesus heard what had happened, he said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed.”
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. The house was filled with people weeping and wailing, but he said, “Stop weeping! She isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.”
But the crowd laughed at him because they all knew she had died. Then Jesus took her by the hand and said in a loud voice, “My child, get up!” And at that moment her life returned, and she immediately stood up! Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were overwhelmed, but Jesus insisted that they not tell anyone what had happened. – Luke 8:49-56
“Who is this man?”
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them.
When he saw the storms, he silenced them.
When he saw evil, he commanded it to flee.
When the sick reached out to him, he healed them.
When death threatens to undo us, Jesus takes us by the hand and says, “My child, get up!”
I don’t know what you are facing or how you are feeling but my Jesus knows. The One who can heal, who can calm storms, and who can bring back the dead knows. Reach out and touch the hem of his garment. Stretch out your hand and hear him say, “My child, get up!” It’s time to be fed. It’s time to be strengthened again. Jesus is here to restore and it’s your turn to receive.