JAIRUS’S DAUGHTER RESTORED AND A WOMAN HEALED

LESSON ELEVEN

LUKE 8:40-56

Once again we have JESUS returning to Galilee, the place where HE began HIS MINISTRY and where “HE taught in their synagogues being glorified by all” (4:14-15). And I must remind you that this is in direct contrast to the events that took place after HE left Galilee and went to HIS hometown of Nazareth “and stood up to read” in their synagogue (v.16). When HE had completed reading a passage from the Book of Isaiah, JESUS explained to them that “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (vv.17-21). Because of the people’s response, JESUS said, “no prophet is accepted in his own country” (v.24). And they, in turn, became so “filled with wrath, and rose up to thrust HIM out of the city; and they led HIM to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw HIM down over the cliff. Then passing through the midst of them, HE went HIS way” (vv.28-30).

However, it is as our lesson unfolds, “when JESUS returned (to Galilee), that the multitude welcomed HIM, FOR THEY WERE ALL WAITING FOR HIM” (8:40). What a difference in the reception JESUS received in places other than HIS hometown, as described above in Chapter 4.

As the story continues, JESUS is immediately approached by one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus, who petitioned HIM to come to his house and heal his daughter who was dying. But, a woman who had a “flow of blood for twelve years” and who had spent all of her money on physicians trying to get healed touched JESUS. To which JESUS responded “Somebody touched me, for I perceived power going out from me.” The woman became afraid and fell down before JESUS and told of her having touched HIM and immediately being healed. Jesus then told her that her FAITH had made her “whole” and to “go in peace” (v.48).

It was at this point that someone from Jairus’ house came and told him of his daughter’s death. “But when JESUS heard it, HE answered him saying, ‘do not be afraid; only believe and she will be made well’ (v.50). Then HE continued on to Jairus’ house and was ridiculed for telling them “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping” (v.52). When JESUS had “put them all outside” HE took the girl by the hand and called her saying “Little girl arise” (v.54). “Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And HE commanded that she be given something to eat. And her parents were astonished, but HE charged them to tell no one what had happened” (vv.55-56).

1. WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS...TRY JESUS (Luke 8:40-42)

As pointed out earlier, JESUS was “welcomed” by the people in Galilee when he returned “for they were all waiting for HIM.” This is because these people had been privileged to be witnesses of JESUS’ ACTS OF HEALING AND PREACHING before and after HIS rejection in HIS hometown of Nazareth (4:16-30). They had witnessed Peter’s mother-in-law being healed (4:38-39); JESUS cleansing a leper (5:12-16), in addition to many other acts of compassion and healing by JESUS.

However, this ruler is such an esteemed official until it seems almost embarrassing for him to fall down at JESUS’ feet and beg HIM to come to his house to heal his daughter. Yet I believe that after having exhausted all of the possible resources available to him, this ruler saw no other alternative but to seek JESUS’ help for his only daughter.

While it would be best to go to JESUS first for any and all solutions to problems in our life, it is just as good for us to go to JESUS even after we have tried everything else. For, it is only at this juncture that we can realize that there is no one else to whom we my turn in a time of crisis. There is no one else waiting for us to call on HIM for a healing that we can depend on except JESUS HIMSELF. Not only can HE heal us, but also HE WILL HEAL US if we only ask as this ruler of the synagogue. Especially since HE is no respecter of persons. What HE does for one, HE will do for all.

2. THE POWER OF FAITH (vv.43-48)

As JESUS begins to go to Jairus’ house to heal his daughter, HE is crowded by the “multitude” that followed HIM. Then a woman “having a flow of blood” and who had spent all of her “livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any. This same woman came up behind JESUS and “touched the hem of HIS garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped (v.43-44).

What is amazing to me about this entire scenario is the fact that JESUS did not “do anything” to this woman to enact her healing. For the Scripture implies that JESUS did not know who touched HIM because of HIS question, “Who touched me?” (v.45). It was the direct action of this woman that was the catalyst for her healing. For even after the disciples tried to play down the fact that JESUS had been touched, HE let them know that HE was aware of HIS having been touched in a ‘special way.’ JESUS said, “Somebody touched ME, for I perceived POWER going out from ME” (v.46).

I believe that JESUS just wanted the woman to acknowledge her “act of faith” so that others could understand what had just taken place in their presence. For in her confession to JESUS of her action, she told HIM and them of the result of her act, “she was healed immediately” (v.47). However, the final response of JESUS to this woman is what I consider the most important element of her healing. JESUS told her that it was not anything that HE had done specifically that brought about her healing, HE told her “your faith has made you well. Go in peace” (v.48).

If we as believers could only realize the POWER OF FAITH in our lives, we would also be privy to many ‘miraculous’ healing in direct proportion to the extent of our “faith.”

3. BE NOT AFRAID...ONLY BELIEVE (vv.49-56)

The scene that took place above caused JESUS to delay in going to Jairus’ house to heal his daughter until “someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the teacher” (v.49). However it was JESUS’ reply to this message that is the essence of this situation, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well” (v.50). This is the most important component of healing: personal faith. That is why I believe JESUS told HIS disciples “if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20). This is also true for us today. If we only realize the POWER of our faith, there would be nothing impossible for us to accomplish in the NAME OF JESUS.

But the most significant hindrance to one’s healing, in light of this prior revelation, is unbelief. That is the reason JESUS, after being ridiculed by those around HIM who were weeping at the death of the little girl, “put them all outside” before HE performed her healing. For you see unbelief can cause us TO NOT ONLY HINDER ANOTHER’S HEALING, BUT ALSO OUR OWN.

It was at this point that JESUS “took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise” (v.54). When “her spirit returned, and she arose immediately,” JESUS commanded that they give her something to eat. “And her parents were astounded, HE charged them to tell no one what had happened” (vv.55-56).

Just as our faith and belief in the POWER OF JESUS is the most dynamic “tool” of a believer. A lack of faith and unbelief can be the most destructive force or hindrance to the enacting of our healing. Sometimes we have to “put a few people out” who do not have faith as strong as ours. It is then and only then that we can avoid the “fear” of failure in our lives.

DO NOT BE AFRAID; ONLY BELIEVE, AND YOU WILL BE MADE WELL IN JESUS’ NAME!

THINK ABOUT IT!!!!

Spiritually Yours.

Rev. Chris Lowe, Sr. DD