Key Thought

True power meets true faith as Jesus and this leader of a synagogue meet each other. This important man shows no pretentiousness in the presence of Jesus. He bows to honor and worship him and make a request that was unthinkable. But even though his request was unimaginable, he pursued it with the eyes of faith. In the presence of such faith, Jesus is more than happy to help just as unpretentiously as the synagogue ruler was in asking for it.

Today's Prayer

Today's Verses in Context

While Jesus was saying these things, a leader of the synagogue came to him. The leader bowed down before Jesus and said, "My daughter has just died. But come and touch her with your hand, and she will live again." So Jesus stood up and went with the leader. Jesus' followers went too. There was a woman that had been bleeding for twelve years. The woman came behind Jesus and touched the bottom of his coat. The woman was thinking, "If I can touch his coat, then I will be healed." Jesus turned and saw the woman. Jesus said, "Be happy, dear woman. You are made well because you believed." Then the woman was healed. Jesus continued going with the Jewish leader and went into the leader's house. Jesus saw people there that make music for funerals. And he saw many people there upset {because the girl died}. Jesus said, "Go away. The girl is not dead. She is only asleep." But the people laughed at Jesus. After the people were put out of the house, Jesus went into the girl's room. Jesus held the girl's hand, and the girl stood up. The news about this spread all around the area.

— Matthew 9:18-26 (ERV)

Comments on "Responding to Faith":

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