Luke 8:40-56 A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed
“So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him. And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying.
But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.
And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?”
When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’”
But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.
And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.”
But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead.
But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” 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.”
Having freed the Gadarene demoniac, Jesus and the disciples now return to Capernaum and Bethesda. Word has already gone out about their coming, and an enormous crowd is waiting. Chief among these people, is Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue and a doting father whose only daughter is dying. Falling to his feet, Jairus begs Jesus to come quickly and heal his daughter before it’s too late. Jesus, Jairus, and the disciples immediately head for Jairus’ house with the rest of the crowd following.
In the crowd is Miriam, a poor woman who has suffered with vaginal bleeding for twelve years. At the beginning, Miriam was wealthy; however, she has spent all she has on physicians without any improvement. This flow of blood means Miriam cannot enter the temple or even go out in public. Today in an act of desperation, Miriam has gathered her courage and has joined the crowd. There is a tradition that says that even if someone touches the tassels of the Messiah’s talith, his prayer shawl, that person will be healed. Creeping as close as she can, Miriam reaches out and touches one of the tassels. Immediately, Miriam feels a jolt in her body as things come back into alignment, and she knows the power of God has healed her. Meanwhile, despite being jostled by the crowd, Jesus too feels the power of God flowing through him to Miriam. Stopping, Jesus asks “Who touched me?”
The disciples are aghast. The disciples are being pushed around by the crowds as they attempt to protect Jesus. Now Jesus asks who touched him? But Jesus knows power has gone out from him, and finally Miriam comes forward. Trembling, Miriam admits that she is the one and that God has healed her. Smiling, Jesus tells her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
Now there’s a new problem. Someone comes smirking out from Jairus’ household to inform Jesus that there’s no need for him to proceed further, for the little girl is dead. Poor Jairus! Although Jairus has pitied Miriam, has this delay cost his daughter her life? Again, Jesus smiles and tells Jairus, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” Ignoring the mourners and the hired flute players at the house, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John and enters the girl’s room. Soon grief turns to unbounded joy as Jairus’ daughter rises from the dead.
When the centurion’s servant was deathly ill, Jesus healed him with a word. Why has Jesus allowed this situation to play out differently? Jesus knows that he is not only doing things for today but that he is modeling ministry for his disciples. The disciples must learn that God’s timing is perfect and that there is always time for a healing. Jesus heals Miriam on the way; he doesn’t demand that she wait. The disciples also must learn that Jesus has power over sin and death; that’s why Jairus’ daughter is dead by the time Jesus arrives.
Although there are evangelists who have special healing ministries, God can use anyone He chooses. Several years ago, a lady came over to our hospital from Togo. After several days in hospital, she appeared to have recovered, so we discharged her. The lady was related to a local pastor, who prayed for her and then brought her to his compound. But that night, about 7:30, the lady died. In a culture where early deaths are common, the family knew that the woman was dead. As is the custom, several of her female relatives remained with her body in the room. Two hours later, the lady suddenly sat up and began speaking. God raised this woman from the dead and she remains alive today! The pastor prayed the same prayers over this lady that he had prayed many other times; this time, God sovereignly chose to raise her from the dead.
We never know what God wants to do in a crisis; our job is to trust and remain faithful. When we obey the Holy Spirit, wonderful things can happen. And God is not bothered by crowds, for He sees the hearts of individuals. It was God who put the desire in Miriam’s heart for her to risk social ostracism to join the crowd that day. But there’s something else to learn from this story: God is not in a hurry and there’s always time for Him to work, for He can work in an instant. We become hot and bothered when things don’t work out the way we have anticipated; meanwhile, God knows exactly what He’s doing. So the next time you are called to minister but someone’s need holds you up, don’t worry. God is already ahead of you, and He can make all things right.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to trust where we cannot see and to remember that when we are doing Your work, You will always arrange the timing. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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