October 13, 2013
Evening Service

As we finished our study this morning we saw where a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years, came and touched the hem of the Lord’s garment, and received immediate healing.

 

We mentioned how she came trembling, and humbly, falling down before the Lord, and confessing why, and what she had done.  And His reply to her was;  Luk 8:48  And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

Remember, Jesus said her faith had made her whole.  It was her faith, that if she could only get to Jesus she would be healed.   And Jesus said your faith has given you this healing.

 

He will say the same thing today to anyone who is willing to come, and bow humbly down, confessing their sins to Him. 

 

This woman’s story all started right after Jairus petitioned the Lord to come unto his house, for he had a twelve year old daughter on her death bed.  His only child.  So Jesus was headed for his house when the woman touched Him, and realized that healing virtue had gone out of Himself.

 

Let’s see what happens as the Lord continues on toward Jairus’s house.

 

Luk 8:49-56  While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. 

·         This has got to be a devastating blow to this Father. 

·         Jairus was the ruler of the synagogue at Capernaum.  Whether he was of the faith that believed in the resurrection, and angels, which was the Pharisees, we don’t know.  I’m not sure if the Sadducees, who didn’t believe in angels, or the resurrection, could set in the ruling seat of the synagogue.

(50)  But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. 

·         Now there is a spark of hope.  Can He do it?  Got to be some doubt here.  People are just not coming back from the dead.

·         Jesus ask Jairus to believe only.  We all know that sometimes this is hard to do, especially when it is our own little girl.  We sure want to believe, but there is always some doubt.

(51)  And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. 

·         Only the Father, and Mother, trying desperately to believe, and hoping.  Peter, James, and John, disciples who knew He could do this. 

I want us to look at Matthew’s account of this situation.

·         Mat 9:23  And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, Mat 9:24  He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

Now back to Luke:

(52)  And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.  (53)  And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. 

·         Minstrels” are persons who play on instruments of music. The people of the East used to bewail the dead by cutting the flesh, tearing the hair, and crying bitterly.

·         Can we get the picture?  These unbelievers laughing at Him.  So He ask that they leave.  Now only faith, and hope is in the room, with this sleeping child.

·         In the eyes of the unbeliever this little girl is dead.  But Jesus says “she is only sleeping.”  Another example of the first death being called a sleep.  And that is what it is until the resurrection, then all will come forth from the graves to stand before Almighty God.

 

But notice what happens. 

 

(54)  And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.  (55)  And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.  (56)  And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.

·         I like the astonished.  Can you just imagine the expression of joy, and amazement in their hearts, and eyes, of what has just happened?

·         Do you think Jesus picked up a couple more followers?

·         Do you think this family can keep this quiet?  And what about all those scoffers?  They knew she had died, and they knew that only God could give life.  So they have to be in a state of head scratching.

 

It is stories like this in the Bible concerning Jesus of Nazareth that builds our faith that He is the very Son of God.  The Messiah that was to come, and is to come again.

 

Only believe.  Have faith in God.  Ye believe in God believe also in Me.

 

These things are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God, and that by believing you might have life through His name. 

 

 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever.

 

I am the Alpha, and Omega, the beginning, and the end.  I am the Almighty.  Thank you Jesus.

 

Father, help us not to be in the group of unbelievers, that You referred to when You said, Luk 18:8  I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Let us say as did the man that came to Jesus for healing for his son, “Mar 9:23-24  Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.  (24)  And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

 

Give us greater faith, in Jesus name.