Luke 8:40-56 On the other side of the lake the crowds welcomed Jesus, because they had been waiting for Him. Then a man named Jairus, a leader of the local synagogue, came and fell at Jesus' feet, pleading with Him to come home with Him. His only daughter, who was about twelve years old, was dying. As Jesus went with him, He was surrounded by the crowds. A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of His robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped. "Who touched Me?" Jesus asked. Everyone denied it, and Peter said, "Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you." But Jesus said, "Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me." When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of Him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched Him and that she had been immediately healed. "Daughter," He said to her, "your faith has made you well. Go in peace." While He was still speaking to her, a messenger arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. He told Him, "Your daughter is dead. There's no use troubling the Teacher now." But when Jesus heard what had happened, He said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed." When they arrived at the house, Jesus wouldn't let anyone go in with Him except Peter, John, James and the little girl's father and mother. The house was filled with people weeping and wailing, but He said, "Stop the weeping! She isn't dead; she's only asleep." But the crowd laughed at Him because they all knew she had died. Then Jesus took her by the hand and said in a loud voice, "My child, get up!" And at that moment her life returned and she immediately stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were overwhelmed, but Jesus insisted that they not tell anyone what had happened.
This was the reading at Sunday's service. As it was being read, verse 49 stuck out...."While He was still speaking to her, a messenger arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the Synagogue. He told him, "Your daughter is dead. There's no use troubling the teacher now." Here was Jesus, surrounded by crowds, pressed on every side, an overwhelming sea of people following Him, needing Him, walking to the home of a distraught and heartbroken man. And now it seemed as there was no reason to "trouble Him." But I thought to myself, or I should say the thought was given to me, it was no trouble at all for Jesus. He desires, asks, wants us to come to Him. We are not a burden or a problem. He doesn't get sick of us nor seek to escape our presence or our needs.
The woman who touched Him was so frightened. Yet He welcomed her with open arms into her healing. Noticing her need, sharing her joy at being healed. There was no hurry here. He took the time to stop, listen and love. Then on to the next need. No problem!
I contrasted in my heart this verse with Matthew 11:28 Then Jesus said, "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." Jesus invites us to come. We are told in Hebrews 4:16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. James 1:5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. Time and time again Scripture encourages us to come to God...Ask, seek....bring our needs and burdens. Isn't that a heart that pleased Him, the one who humbly admits their need for Him? The Holy Spirit is given to be our helper, our advocate, our comforter, our teacher....if that doesn't sound like He wants to us to lean on Him fully.....
What a beautiful Savior we follow and serve. There is none like Him...the Ruler, Sustainer, Creator of the universe, every cell, every star, every being, desires, even calls for us to come to Him. He has time for us. He wants to help us. We are not a problem nor a burden for Him, but His dearly loved children.
Thank You Lord. That's all I can say. I am awed by You.
Bring your burdens to the Lord today. Lay them into His capable hands.
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