“Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, ² and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. ³ He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic. ⁴ Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. ⁵ Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” ⁶ They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere.”  Luke 9:1-6

I wonder how long the journey was for the disciples who have been sent out by Jesus? From the perspective of the Gospel, it must have lasted for many weeks – but for us, the readers, it lasts just the wink of an eye. And, I wonder how successful they were in their ministry?  The text tells us that they told Jesus everything that they had done, but we have no idea what they did except for healing some diseases. Nevertheless, the crowds continue to follow Jesus and the disciples and the miracles and the healings continue. 

Then, in the very next scene, Jesus gives the disciples another opportunity to do marvelous things, but it seems their humanity gets in the way. When asked to feed the multitude of people, 5000 in all, they seem to have forgotten their power and authority that Jesus has commissioned them with.

We cannot forget the power of the Holy Spirit and the work that can be done when life gets us down or gets in the way.  Jesus is always there, in the background of our lives, giving us the Spirit to empower us with the ability to work our own wonders and miracles.

Pastor Dave

⁴⁰ Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. ⁴¹ Just then there came a man named Jairus, a leader of the synagogue. He fell at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come to his house, ⁴² for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, who was dying. As he went, the crowds pressed in on him. ⁴³ Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. ⁴⁴ She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. ⁴⁵ Then Jesus asked, “Who touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you.” ⁴⁶ But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me.” ⁴⁷ When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. ⁴⁸ He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” Luke 8:40-48

Have you noticed that those who you know who have the strongest faith may simply be the ones who can hide their fear better than others? The woman with the bleeding disorder has tried everything that she could think of, physicians and all of their cures, and she still was still sick. Finally, in an act of faith, she comes to see Jesus, with the faith that even if she just touches his cloak, she might receive the same type of miraculous healing that she has obviously witnessed in others. Her fear that she experiences is not in her initial act of coming to Jesus, but in the reaction following her healing. She is afraid of the reaction of the religious leaders, and the others in the community.

The same is true with Jairus. He is a leader in the synagogue, yet he comes to Jesus in a desperate act to save his daughter. He is not afraid to approach Jesus, for he too has seen and heard of his great healing powers. And it is his faith that allows Jesus to perform the miracle, for Jesus tells him, “Do not fear, only believe.” 

Can we get past the fear, and allow our faith to lead us on in service to the one who continues to astound us each and every day? Fear only serves to hold us back. Faith gives us the power to move forward.

Pastor Dave