Key Thought

Two powerful realizations are driven home by this story of the desperate and outcast woman. First, even though her outward circumstances and personal demeanor are the opposite of the synagogue ruler with whom she shares the story, their core issue is the same: faith that Jesus can deliver them from their desperate concerns. They both act in bold ways to find that deliverance. Second, in both stories, even though there is a huge crowd pressing upon Jesus, he ministers personally and specifically to the needs of the people. What so powerfully sets Jesus apart from healing charlatans is that he does not use these events to focus upon himself, but to personally minister to the needs of the people involved. These stories remind us again of how powerful it is that God would become human flesh to minister to us -- personally!

Today's Prayer

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Holy Father, thank you for your love and compassion in sending Jesus. I find it both awe inspiring and assuring to know that you walked among people and ministered to them personally, not just spectacularly, in Jesus. Thank you for reminding me that every human need, every desperate struggle, is known to you and agonized over by you. In Jesus' name I praise and thank you for this grace. Amen.

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)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.