Interwoven Wonders
Scripture Reading: Luke 8:40-56

Today’s Treasure: “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” (Luke 8:47).

In his must-read book Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire Jim Cybala wrote, “I discovered an astonishing truth: God is attracted to weakness.  He can’t resist those who humbly and honestly admit how desperately they need him.”*

Jairus was a ruler of the synagogue whose daughter lay dying.  This day no ritual dignity stood in his way as he threw himself at the feet of Jesus and pleaded for her life.  The events that follow weave two scenes together in such a way that I am compelled to offer thoughts involving both.  The following observations strike me as I consider the healing of the bleeding woman and the healing of Jairus’ daughter. 

The depth of need:
For both Jairus and the woman in the crowd, Jesus was literally their last hope.  Who else could heal from the throes of death?  And who else could cure what countless doctors had failed to cure, especially without pay?  Indeed, Jesus was their only hope.  Whom do you know that is possibly down to his or her very last hope?  Perhaps, like me, you even know several people.  Next I want you to notice another detail of these two wonders. 

The length of need:
Don’t you think it’s interesting that the woman suffered her infirmity for the same length of time that Jairus’ child had been alive?  Ask anyone who has suffered with a chronic ailment how much focus it commands, and she’ll tell you she struggles to focus on anything else.  Ask any set of parents how much they focus on their one and only child and they’ll likely tell you the same thing.  Have you struggled for a long time with some difficulty?  I absolutely do not want to minimize your suffering when I tell you that Jesus specializes in the long-term in and the hopeless. 

Christ’s depth of discernment:
We read in verse 42 that the crowd pressed so closely to Jesus they were almost crushing Him.  Yet a woman behind him touched only the edge of His cloak, and He discerned the difference.  Please keep in mind, she never even touched His skin.  Amazing!  When the woman realized that she “could not go unnoticed,” she “came trembling and fell at his feet” (v.47).  Beloved, no one goes unnoticed by Christ, least of all, a person acting on faith.  I love the fact that the woman came trembling, even though she had exercised enough faith to draw forth on the healing power of Jesus.  It’s good to know that the faithful still come trembling.  In fact, their reverence is a critical part of their faith.  The truly believing will most certainly also be the bowing.

Why do you think Christ asked her to identify herself?  I think one reason might have been so she could enjoy the healing she had received.  The New International Version doesn’t record one phrase found in the King James Version of verse 48: “Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace” (emphasis mine).  In this way I believe Christ was saying, “Do not go forth as someone who feels they have stolen a gift!  Be of good cheer! I freely give it to you!”  

The Breadth of Jesus’ power:
Verse 42 tells us Jesus was on His way to heal the dying child when the woman in the crowd touched the edge of His cloak.  Christ Himself described what happened: “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me” (v. 46).  The primary point I want to make is that Christ released enough power to heal a woman of a twelve-year hemorrhage but still had plenty to raise Jairus’ daughter from the dead!  Let that sink in!  I know you know it with your head, but I want you to receive it with your heart.  Christ’s power supply is limitless.  He’s not the Wizard of Oz with a limited number of wishes to grant.  His power and mercy are infinite.  He can take you much farther than Kansas, Dorothy.

Does Jesus seem to be on His way to another need, one that you perceive may be more important than yours?  More of a matter of life and death?  No problem!  Reach out and grab that hem!  You are not going unnoticed—not even if He’s on His way to raise the dead!

Jesus, I praise You because You have more than enough power to cover every need of every one of Your children.  I pray for the people in my life who have overwhelming needs that seem insurmountable.  Please have mercy on them and do miracles that only You can do.  Thank You for Your compassion, Lord Jesus.  Give me the faith and the courage to reach out and grasp the hem of Your garment.  I am eager and desperate for my own healing!  In Your holy name, Amen. 

*Jim Cymbala, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Publishing House, 1997), 19.

Adapted from Jesus the One and Only, by Beth Moore, pages 147-151.  Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2002.  Used by permission.