Daily Office Readings for Friday of the 5th Week of Easter: Year 1
Morning, Psalm 106:1 to 18; Evening, Psalm 106:19 to 48;
Wisdom 16:15 to17:1; Romans 14:13 to 23; Luke 8:40 to 56:
“He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” (Luke 8:48)
While Jesus was on his way to help Jairus’ daughter, he was touch by a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years. This was an unintended healing. But more than that, this was an unexpected opportunity. I struggle with this term, “unexpected opportunity.” If I didn’t see it coming, and it wasn’t planned for, how can it be an opportunity? Well, Jesus teaches me how to handle unexpected opportunities.
It was an opportunity for Jesus to show that we already have it within ourselves, to heal ourselves. It is our faith. Jesus tells her (and us), that our faith makes us well. But we must realize that this woman “acted” on her faith. She got past those who were guarding Jesus; she let go of norms about touching a man she doesn’t know. She followed her faith against all odds to find healing.
I now realize that not only did Jesus show me how to deal with unexpected opportunities, The woman did also. What an unexpected opportunity to have our Lord Jesus come by when all other healings have failed. Now she, and we, have to take advantage of this unexpected opportunity and do something. She did, and we should. First, we must realize that our Lord Jesus is near us in our prayers. It is through the faith that is implanted in us that our prayers go forth and touch Jesus. We must drop any, and all thoughts that inhibit our faith impulse to pray. The faith that is in us will heal us.
Now is the time to expect the unexpected. Now is the time to make ourselves aware of the presence of our Savior and get close enough to touch him. As we approach our Sabbath downtime today, let us ponder about the healing faith that is in us. Let us reflect on the approach of Jesus in our lives and then be bold enough to prayerfully reach out to Him. Then, we too may “go in peace.”
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Sudan, South Sudan and our schools.
“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done” (Genesis 2:1 and 2). So, for this evening and tomorrow day my friends, Shabbat Shalom.
What is Shabbat? Intro to the Jewish Sabbath – YouTube
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
onewhoponders 