Notes to the Lord

Scripture Reflections: Matthew 9:18-26

18While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, "My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live." 19Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.

Lord Jesus—As I write this I can not help of think of my daughter and my daughter’s daughter for that matter. I think of the moments of grace and of laughter that have surrounded my children. The dinners and lunches, trips down the snow covered hills at Crandall Park. I can understand how this man must have felt: empty, needy, and at wits end. I wonder if in his mind he had a picture frozen in time of his little one...laughing.

This man who approached you was a person who knew how things worked in his world. He was a leader and person with responsibilities and power. He was a person who was used to telling other people what to do, and here he is coming to you asking for your help. He little one lay dead and this ruler knew one thing Jesus could fix this broken situation.

20Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."

Right when this ruler had got your attention and focus, there is an interruption. It must have been maddening to have made this connection only to see the focus shift to this woman. This woman, who was unclean because of her issues, had to get in the way. I wonder if this ruler looked down on this woman. I wonder if he would have even noticed her on a normal day.

Remind me Lord, there are no interruptions. Or maybe it is better put that all interruptions are there for a reason.

What are the stories that I tell myself Lord, about your work in my life? The hem of your cloak was not something that had any power or glory in it…it was probably dusty and road worn. But for this woman it was a tangible that she could put her faith in. It was something to aim for. She may had thought “Maybe someone like me can’t get his attention but I can touch the hem of his cloak.”

22Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.

23When Jesus entered the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd, 24he said, "Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep." But they laughed at him. 25After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26News of this spread through all that region.

Lord Jesus—You bring new life where ever you are. I pray that you will bring new life into my walk with you today. Remind me of the adventure of a hope that brings new life where there is only mourning and restoration where there is only loss.