Luke 7-8 (ESV) by Wordle*

Today’s reading is Luke 7:1-8:56.

“But Jesus on hearing this answered him, ‘Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well’” (Luke 8:50).

Jairus heard this moments after he heard Jesus tell the woman with the issue of blood, “Daughter, you faith has made you well; go in peace.” Faith was the key. But how much faith. Did this mean Jairus must have no doubts whatsoever? I don’t think so.

Rather, the messengers had told him to trouble Jesus no more. He simply had to have enough faith to continue troubling Jesus about it. He had to have enough faith to let Jesus come see his daughter. He had to have enough faith to let Jesus declare to the crowds the seemingly foolish statement, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” He had to have enough faith to ask the mourners to stay out when Jesus asked them to. He simply had to have enough faith to do what Jesus said and let Jesus do what He wanted.

That’s how much faith I need today. I simply need enough to do what Jesus has asked me and let Jesus do what He wants with me. That’s all.

Today, I think I’ll work on that faith. Who knows what amazing work Jesus might do in me if I simply have that much faith.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

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*Today’s illustration was generated by the creative tool at Wordle.net. You can find all my wordles here.

Today’s reading is Mark 5:1-6:56.

“Taking her by the hand he said to her, ‘Talitha cumi,’ which means ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise.’ And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age,) and they were immediately overcome with amazement” (Mark 5:42-42).

by Royce Bair

I have seen the miraculous healings of Jesus’ ministry as allegories for our own spiritual healing. To be sure, these miracles took place, but the purpose for recording them is to say if Jesus could give physical life to these people, He can give spiritual life to me.

Thus, the story of Jairus’ daughter really hit me this morning. Her name is not given. She is just Jairus’ daughter. She did not go seeking healing or resurrection. Jairus went on behalf of his daughter. Many of the miracles say if Jesus could heal them physically or resurrect them physically, He can do the same for me spiritually. But what does this one say? It says if Jesus could heal or resurrect Jairus’ daughter, He can spiritually heal and resurrect my daughters (and my sons).

I needed to read that today. As I grow and see my own defects that Jesus is conquering in me, my biggest fear is how those defects have been harming my own children. At times, I think their salvation is hopeless because they’ve been stuck with a father like me. In despair I think, “I’ll never be able to raise them up or heal them. They are lost for sure.” But that is exactly the point. Just as Jairus could not heal or raise his daughter, I cannot heal or raise mine. But Jesus can.

What does that mean for me? That means today I don’t have to go about trying to manipulate the right action out of my kids as if their salvation depends on me. What it means is I simply need to do the right thing. I need to behave in right ways because they are right, not because I’ve decided if I act this way my kids have to be alright. If my kids will be raised and healed, Jesus will do it. I can turn it over to Him. Of course, I understand that my kids may decide they don’t want that. That will be sad for me indeed. But that won’t be my fault.

Today, I’m going to quit trying to manipulate my kids into salvation. Instead, I’m just going to do the next right thing and let Jesus do His job of raising people and healing them, even my kids.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

PS. What struck you in today’s reading?

PPS. For just a little fun, since the story of John the Baptist’s beheading was in this reading, I thought I’d share a cute story I heard once. Perhaps it will give you a little chuckle and brighten your day.

In the kindergarten Bible class, the teacher was dramatically telling the story of John the Baptist. She told how Herod had promised his step-daughter anything up to half his kingdom as a reward for her dancing. She told with flourish as the young woman asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter.

“Tommy,” she said, “What would you have said to this wicked woman if you had been Herod?”

Tommy tilted his head and replied, “If I had been Herod, I would have told her, ‘No, no, I meant something in the other half of my kingdom.’”

Today’s reading is Luke 7:1-8:56.

I can’t imagine being Jairus. My oldest daughter will be 12 in six months. I can hardly imagine her lying on her death bed. If I were approaching Jesus, I would be frantic. “Please, Rabbi, come quickly! Come now! I’m begging you!” I would be yelling at the crowds. “Get out of the way! Can’t you see who I am! I’m the ruler of the synagogue! My daughter’s dying! Move! You’re holding us up! Jesus will get back to you later!”

The text is surprisingly silent about how Jairus responded when Jesus stopped and asked the seemingly insane question, “Who touched me?” I don’t know how Jairus would have reacted. I know how I would have reacted. “Rabbi, please. Does it matter? We’ll never know. You’re wasting time. My daughter…!” I would probably be tugging on His sleeve, trying to get Him to hurry.

But Jesus just stands there until this woman admitted what she had done. I can’t believe Jesus stopped to deal with this unclean women when my daughter lies at home dying. If we don’t hurry she may be dead before we get there. “Hurry!”

Then the unthinkable. A servant comes. I can see it on his face. It’s over. She’s gone. One of my greatest sources of joy has been snuffed out, just as she was beginning to blossom. She was about to enter womanhood and now she’s gone. The servant speaks anyway. I’m already crying. “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” 

Would I collapse right there on the spot? I have a feeling this rule of the synagogue wouldn’t want to display such weakness. I might take the same approach. Snuff back the tears. There will be time for that in private. But the resentment for this woman who had the audacity to touch the teacher while my daughter was dying would already have been born. I wonder if I can get her kicked out of the synagogue.

However, the Teacher has said something amazing. “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” Is that possible? It is too late. He must not understand. The servant didn’t say she was mostly dead. He said she was all the way dead. All that’s left is to go through her pockets for loose change. But the Teacher starts walking to my house again.

As we approach, the mourners are in full swing. There is no doubt. She’s dead. Everyone knows it. Jesus is too late. After all, He might be a wonder at healing, but nobody raises people from the dead. The mourners we’ve hired laugh when Jesus says she’s only sleeping. I have mixed emotions. I can hardly believe any good can come from this. On the other hand, I want to believe. But it is just too late.

Jesus kicks everyone out but three of his followers and my wife and me. I can see her. She’s dead. There is no flutter of the eyelids. The chest does not raise even a little with breath. Her hands and face are already cold to touch. Nothing. Dead. Jesus is too late.

He steps close to me and pulls my little girls hand out of mine. He says, “Child arise.” I’m trying to believe, but can hardly do it. I just didn’t get Jesus here on time. We might have made it if it hadn’t been for the crowds or that blasted woman. 

But then…did she do what I thought? Did I just see a catch of breath? Her eyes are fluttering open. How can this be? She’s alive? She was not asleep. I know that. She was dead. But this Rabbi has just brought my daughter back to me. “Yes, yes, giver her something to eat. Anything He says. Anything she wants.” She can hardly eat because my wife and I are smothering her with hugs.

I learned something about Jesus today. He may not be on my time schedule, but He is never late. Next time, I’ll wait on Him patiently.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What did you get out of today’s reading?