Luke 8:40-56
40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41 And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus' feet, he implored him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying.As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. 43 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. 44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. 45 And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
49 While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler's house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” 50 But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” 51 And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. 52 And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” 53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” 55 And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. 56 And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.
Reflection
In these two healing stories, we once again see God’s compassion for us as Jesus gladly uses his power to comfort those who suffer in this broken world. At the same time, Luke continues to relentlessly highlight another crucial gospel truth for us: we must respond to the grace of God with faith (Luke 8:48, 50). The gospel calls us to entrust our lives to Jesus, knowing that he is willing and able to heal us in the ways that are best for us. Like Jairus and the bleeding woman, Christians can bring their bold requests to Jesus knowing that he will listen and respond in compassionate love for them. Those who entrust themselves to him will soon experience the complete and perfect healing of all brokenness and sorrow (Rev. 21:4)!
Philippians 1:12-18a
12 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice.Yes, and I will rejoice,
Reflection
God’s work is not hindered by Paul’s imprisonment. Rather than being a barrier to the growth of the gospel, God is actually using Paul’s suffering to advance the gospel. His perspective is that he is imprisoned for Christ (Phil. 1:13), and that his persecution has helped others proclaim the gospel more boldly (v. 14).
Like Paul, our confidence and joy in the gospel must never be overwhelmed by trials. The suffering that we face brings us into profound closeness with the One who suffered for our sake (cf. 3:10). This should strengthen us to believe and speak the good news without fear.
Psalm 10:12-14
12 Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; forget not the afflicted. 13 Why does the wicked renounce God and say in his heart, “You will not call to account”? 14 But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation, that you may take it into your hands; to you the helpless commits himself; you have been the helper of the fatherless.
Suffering does not hinder the work of God’s kingdom. In truth, he often uses it for unforeseen kingdom purposes. Pray for those you know who are in a season of suffering. Ask God to comfort them and to use their trial for the glorious purposes of his kingdom.