The Road to Redemption | Day 18: Luke 8:40-56 – Trusting Jesus in the Midst of Despair
Read Luke 8:40-56
The reading for today highlights Jesus’ power to bring restoration and His compassionate response to those who approach Him in faith. The intertwined accounts of Jairus’s daughter and the woman with the issue of blood reveal Jesus’ authority over sickness, death, and despair, as well as His tender care for individuals in need.
Jairus, a synagogue ruler, demonstrates great faith as he humbly pleads with Jesus to heal his dying daughter. On the way, Jesus is interrupted by a woman who has suffered for twelve years and is considered ceremonially unclean. Her faith leads her to touch the fringe of Jesus’ garment, and she is immediately healed. Jesus pauses to publicly affirm her faith and restore her dignity, calling her "daughter" and commending her trust in Him.
Meanwhile, Jairus’s faith is tested when news comes that his daughter has died. Undeterred, Jesus assures him, "Do not fear; only believe." He goes to the house, raises the girl from the dead, and restores her to her family, proving His authority over even the greatest enemy—death.
This passage calls us to approach Jesus with faith, trust Him in the midst of delay and despair, and rejoice in the life and restoration He brings to all who believe.
Questions to Consider:
How does the healing of the woman with the issue of blood show Jesus’ compassion and the personal nature of His power?
What can Jairus’s response to Jesus in the face of grief and uncertainty teach you about persevering in faith?
How does Jesus’ authority over sickness and death encourage you to trust Him in all areas of your life?
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