Sickness and Death

Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus’ feet, he implored him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.
Luke 8:40–56
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Sickness and Death
These two accounts of Christ’s miraculous power prove that He is God. His power over the death of a twelve-year-old girl and over the twelve-year sickness of a bleeding woman makes it abundantly clear that He is the resurrection and the life. These accounts parallel one another. The girl, in her twelfth year, is about to die at an age when she would have entered womanhood, and the woman who had been bleeding for twelve years, as long as the little girl has been alive, remains suffering. And in His mercy, our Lord Jesus raises one and heals the other, displaying His mastery and His authority over incurable illness and even death. Just as they had despaired in the face of danger, we also sometimes despair as catastrophe looms. But Jesus can deal with any problem. His sacrificial death and victorious resurrection proved that He can overcome even the gravest threat. Our Lord God, who is our just Judge, strong and patient, knows the frailty and wickedness of our hearts. And so, His strength is ours. All our trust lies with Him. Left to our own devices we could never stand against sin, death, and the devil. But in Him and through Him, we have life, forgiveness, and salvation.