GPS Guide – June 20, 2019

LUKE: PART III – ALL TO GOD

Thursday

Read: Luke 8:41-56

“⁴¹ Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house ⁴² because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.

As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. ⁴³ And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. ⁴⁴ She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. ⁴⁵ “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” ⁴⁶ But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” ⁴⁷ 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.⁴⁸ Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

⁴⁹ While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.” ⁵⁰ Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” ⁵¹ When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. ⁵² Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” ⁵³ They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. ⁵⁴ But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” ⁵⁵ Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat.⁵⁶ Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.” (NIV Luke 8:41-56)

Study: Too often we can be tempted to behave as if it is our movement toward Jesus that saves us. But not the girl in this story. No doubt, for the rest of her life she remembered the precarious experience of sickness and death. Her parents would remind her that there had been nothing that anyone was able to do to restore her, except for Jesus. By no human effort or will of her own, Jesus came to her and raised her to new life. Graciously, this is how Jesus operates! He extends grace when we are still bound by the powers of sin and death. Have you been tempted to believe that Jesus would touch you if you could just exert the right amount of prayer or energy or effort? What a burden! Know that Jesus is always moving toward us. It’s how He operates. Jesus is faithful to move toward us, and we meet Him in our darkest moments, like the girl who received His touch at death’s door.

Pray: Almighty God, you are the one who conquers life and death. I humble myself before your majesty today. Amen.