URC Daily Devotion 10th January 2025

St Luke 8: 40 – 56

Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. Just then there came a man named Jairus, a leader of the synagogue. He fell at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, who was dying. As he went, the crowds pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her haemorrhage stopped.  Then Jesus asked, ‘Who touched me?’ When all denied it, Peter said, ‘Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you.’  But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me.’  When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed.  He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.’ While he was still speaking, someone came from the leader’s house to say, ‘Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the teacher any longer.’ When Jesus heard this, he replied, ‘Do not fear. Only believe, and she will be saved.’  When he came to the house, he did not allow anyone to enter with him, except Peter, John, and James, and the child’s father and mother.  They were all weeping and wailing for her; but he said, ‘Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping.’  And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.  But he took her by the hand and called out, ‘Child, get up!’  Her spirit returned, and she got up at once. Then he directed them to give her something to eat.  Her parents were astounded; but he ordered them to tell no one what had happened.

Reflection

The woman with a haemorrhage has suffered for twelve years. She comes in desperation, daring to enter the crowd in order to reach out to Jesus.  When Jesus notes the healing, she comes to him and confesses.  Jairus comes in desperation seeking healing for his twelve year old daughter.  

What is remarkable about both events is that Jesus touched/ was touched by them.  The Law stated that touching a bleeding woman and a corpse were prohibited.  (By the time Jesus’ reached Jairus’ daughter she was dead – a corpse.)  Jesus was willing to circumvent religious law to care for the woman and the girl.    Jesus did not hesitate to take the hand of the child, commanding her to get up. Jesus did not reprimand the woman for touching his garment. 

Both woman and girl were restored to the family of faith. Jesus called the woman, ‘daughter.’  Calling her ‘daughter ‘was bringing her back into the circle from which she had been excluded for twelve years.  Having been raised from death the twelve year old girl/daughter was able to resume her life within her family and community.  By his actions Jesus recognised the worth of both.  

Reflecting on Jesus’ actions causes me to wonder how our callings ask us to cross thresholds we might not have crossed before?  How are we asked to honour the spirit of the religious expectations?  Where are we called beyond those expectations to  act in ways that people can be restored to wholeness and embraced within God’s community?  

As we reflect, perhaps we can ask ourselves these questions:  Who is quietly edging toward us, pulling at our garments, seeking care, asking for healing and peace?  Who is pushing through the crowd in desperation, seeking our help because in us they see God?  Whose whole life has been shaped by pain and is now asking for help?  Where can our offerings of support be the path to healing?

Prayer

Listening God, open our eyes and our ears to those who are seeking restoration to community and wholeness.  Give us courage to act for their healing.  Give us courage to love unconditionally.
  
Listening God, when we are the one who is in pain, bring us the person who stops, listens, and offers hope.

God, help us remember we are named as ‘beloved’ within the family of faith.  Give us courage to voice that love within and outside of our churches.  Amen.