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LUKE - Christ, the Savior of the World
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to Luke
PART 3 - JESUS' MINISTRY IN GALILEE (Luke 4:14 - 9:50)
15. Christ's Power Over the Storm, Demons and Death (Luke 8:22-56)
LUKE 8:40-56
40 It happened, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41 Behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. He fell down at Jesus’ feet, and begged him to come into his house, 42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as he went, the multitudes pressed against him. 43 A woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her living on physicians, and could not be healed by any, 44 came behind him, and touched the fringe of his cloak, and immediately the flow of her blood stopped. 45 Jesus said, “Who touched me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes press and jostle you, and you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone did touch me, for I perceived that power has gone out of me.” 47 When the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared to him in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 48 He said to her, “Daughter, cheer up. Your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” 49 While he still spoke, one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house came, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Don’t trouble the Teacher.” 50 But Jesus hearing it, answered him, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe, and she will be healed.” 51 When he came to the house, he didn’t allow anyone to enter in, except Peter, John, James, the father of the child, and her mother. 52All were weeping and mourning her, but he said, “Don’t weep. She isn’t dead, but sleeping.” 53 They were ridiculing him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he put them all outside, and taking her by the hand, he called, saying, “Child, arise!” 55 Her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately. He commanded that something be given to her to eat. 56 Her parents were amazed, but he commanded them to tell no one what had been done.
The people of the region of the Gerasenes, overcome with fear, begged Jesus, the Savior of the world to leave their town. But the believers of the Old Testament waited for him. The ruler of the synagogue believed in him, sought him, came and, bowed down threw himself in submission at his feet. He had heard much about Christ’s sayings, had seen his miracles in the synagogue, and dared to believe that the power of God went out of this man, and that the Highest who is present in him is worthy of worship. The ruler asked Jesus the Savior to come to his house and heal his daughter who was dying, and Jesus immediately accompanied him.
At that very moment, a sick woman drew close to the Savior to receive power from him by touching his garment. Her faith was so great that the power of Christ went into her like an electric shock. It healed her sick body at once, and stopped the flow of blood. This woman had been subjected for many years to pain, hardship, and timidity before many physicians, as if afflicted by God. But now, she recovered by touching the edge of his cloak, and her twelve years of suffering came to an end.
When she was healed, Christ wanted to stress her great faith. He asked about the unknown person who had touched him willfully with faith and drawn the power of the Holy Spirit out of him into herself.
In his wisdom, he led the woman to confess her faith and testify to her years of hardship and what Christ did for her in words of thankfulness. Furthermore, the Lord strengthened her trust and said to her his strange words, “Your faith has made you well.” He did not say to her, “I healed you.” But he referred the healing to her own faith. This contact with him made heaven enter into her heart. He gave her divine peace and sanctification of mind, and said to her, “Now, I give you the peace of the Highest. Accept everlasting healing, and fullness of blessings. Go in peace.”
During this conversation, the ruler of the synagogue must have stood waiting, as his only daughter was struggling with death, and the Only Physician was delayed because of an unclean woman, as if such a woman were better than him, righteous ruler of the synagogue. When he heard that his daughter was dead, he wanted in his deep sorrow to ask Jesus not to continue his way to his house. But the Lord, in his kindness, reassured him, and prevented the brokenhearted father from despair. Just in the same way he removes your fears, and demands of you more faith. Christ guarantees your salvation if you believe, and he secures triumph in you and around you if you continue to trust humbly.
Jesus took three of his disciples that these chosen ones might see his glory, and their faith be fed. Everyone in the house was sad, weeping, and wailing. Suddenly they who wept began to laugh when Jesus said that the girl was not dead, but sleeping, for they new for sure that she was dead. Christ commanded them not to weep, for he, the Prince of life, was present among them. Why do people weep when someone dies? Do they not know everlasting life? As a bishop stood at a wall ready to be shot by unbelievers who had sentenced him to death, he cried out his last words to the poor soldiers, saying to them, “Adieu, dead! Now I am going to the living. Every true Christian knows that death is the gate to life.” Are you afraid of death, or do you live untroubled in Christ?
Death is not the absolute end. With regard to our bodies, death is like sleeping, for our spirits remain awake for judgment, either in unrest because of sins, or in peace in the bosom of the Savior. Christ, who lives from everlasting to everlasting, took the girl by the hand, and said in a gentle voice, “Get up, child!” This is the ressurection word which Christ speaks. You will hear this word when Christ comes again, if you are one of his beloved. Then he will take your body immediately raised with glory and you will live with your Lord forever joyfully and peacefully.
The girl was still on earth. Her spirit returned from the world of spirits, and came again into the dead body. She was no longer sick or weak, but opened her eyes in wonder, and got up immediately from the bed. How astonishing that Christ did not say to her at that moment, “Worship your Lord, and commit yourself to me your Savior”, but turned back to her astonished parents and commanded them to give her something to eat. Our Creator confirms earthly life, and is fully aware of all our ordinary practical needs.
Then Christ calmly commanded the parents to glorify God, and recognize him who overcomes the devil, diseases, and death.
PRAYER: O Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for you are the Prince of life, out of whom life-giving rivers flow. Please open my heart to your love, and my mind to your power, that I may live today faithfully with all those who hold fast to you. Help me to hear, your invitation to glory, when you come.
QUESTION 65: Why did Christ say to the girl’s father, “Do not be afraid, only believe,” though death had actually taken place in his house?