An important Jewish leader had begged Jesus Christ to come
to his home because his twelve year old daughter was very sick. Jesus agreed
and, surrounded by a huge crowd of followers, was on His way to the house when
He was interrupted by devout and humble woman. This woman, sick for twelve
years, believed with all her heart, that if she just was able to reach out and
touch Jesus, she would be healed. Unlike Jairus the Jewish leader, she didn’t
beg Jesus. She didn’t even want anyone to know she was there to be healed. In
fact you could say she was sneaking up to Him to be healed, and would have just
walked away after she was healed if she could.
This is exactly what she tried to do when Jesus cried out, “Who
touched Me?” (Luke 8.45) Still trying to remain unknown, even though she had
been miraculously healed, she kept herself hidden until Jesus insisted, "Somebody
touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me." (Luke 8:46)
Meanwhile, Jairus twelve year old daughter died from her illness and his
servants had come to tell him, "Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the
Teacher." (Luke 8.49) Jairus was content to step away and return home when
Jesus stopped him, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made
well." (Luke 8:50)
The humility of both Jairus the Jewish leader and the
unnamed woman are at the center of the Gospel story. Jesus healed many
thousands of men and women during His earthly ministry. Why would the Gospel
take the time to tell us of these two particular women? There must be something
more that Saint Luke wanted us to learn than just that Jesus has the power to
heal. The story is about the humility of two faithful followers of Jesus
Christ. In both cases, it wasn’t about the power of God, but their humble
faith. “Be of good cheer.....do not be afraid....” (Luke 8.48, 50) were the
words of God for these humble servants. When we are humble, there is no need
for sorrow and fear.
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