Slices
Prepare
What is your experience of healing? In yourself? In others? Many of us have mixed feelings – perhaps including a powerful testimony, crushing disappointment, fear or hope. Tell God how you feel about his healing power.
Bible passage
Jesus raises a dead girl and heals a sick woman
18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, ‘My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.’ 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, ‘If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.’
22 Jesus turned and saw her. ‘Take heart, daughter,’ he said, ‘your faith has healed you.’ And the woman was healed at that moment.
23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and the people playing pipes, 24 he said, ‘Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.’ But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region.
Explore
I’m glad Matthew isn’t my editor... Assuming Mark was written first, this is a brutal summary in nine verses of what Mark narrates in 23!
But Matthew doesn’t edit out Jesus’ compassion. Notice: Jesus goes with Jairus instead of expecting his daughter to come to him (v 19); Jesus addresses the woman as ‘daughter’ (v 22); Jesus takes the girl ‘by the hand’ (v 25). There is no show for the onlookers, no incantation, no props – nothing except gentle compassion for two people considered unworthy and unclean: a little girl and an unclean woman.
For what Matthew doesn’t say, but his readers would have known, is that under the Law when the woman touched Jesus – even the edge of his cloak (v 20) – and when Jesus touched the girl’s corpse (v 25), he became ritually unclean.
Jesus should have stayed away, but instead he showed compassion. And instead of their uncleanness infecting him, he brought new life and healing to them. No wonder the news spread throughout the region (v 26).
Respond
Do you hang back from Jesus because you think you aren’t worthy? Sit quietly with your feelings and receive his life and love, which give you great worth.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 1 Kings 6,7; 1 Corinthians 12
Pray for Scripture Union
Please pray for SU Revealing Jesus Pioneer Anna Brinkley as she supports rural youth workers and churches facing isolation and low engagement. Pray for wisdom, encouragement and fresh vision in her ministry, and for God to stir churches in Somerset, Dorset, Devon and Cornwall toward youth outreach.
Because a strong start begins with smart preparation
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