40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41 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, 42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. 43 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. 44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. 45 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!” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” 47 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. 48 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
Questions for Reflection:
Jesus takes time to make sure that the woman is noticed, and He even gives her the blessing of being called Daughter. How does this story possibly convict you to begin to notice and bless those who may be passed over?
How open to interruptions are you? While not all interruptions may be opportunities is your heart even open to the possibility of them being engineered by the Holy Spirit? What practices might you need to reengage in or start doing to create a more open heart?
Prayer of the Week:
Father, Son, Holy Spirit I am so excited that I get to live this day united to You in the very depth of my being. Thank you Jesus for reconciling me to my Father in heaven who loves me very much. Thank you Spirit for filling me afresh with the very presence of Jesus. I receive You now and consecrate myself to You and Your purposes for me this day. I am Yours and You are mine.
I praise you Jesus for being so “open hearted” and “noticing me gracefully” even when I was dead in my brokenness and sinfulness. I am amazed at your “open hearted love for all people”. Jesus, I want to be as “open-hearted” as You are.
I am so very sorry that I often default to my old “sinful self” me when doing life which closes my heart to people especially when I feel, anxious, overwhelmed, angry, __________________ (fill in the blank with personal confession of any closed heartedness). When I am closed I don’t notice people gracefully … I do not love well… even those closest to me. I do not want my sinful self to take the lead and call the shots today. I now put off and renounce my old self in Jesus name!
Jesus, I now by faith, clothed in forgiveness, receive and put on my new life I have in You – my “Jesus in me” self – given to me in my baptism! Your heart in me opens me up to love people well. I want to practice today being “open hearted”. Lead me into opportunities all day to notice people – really see them with grace-filled eyes and respond gracefully. Help me bring unmerited favor in small and large quantities to whomever you lead me to today. I am your vessel bringing your grace today! The words of the apostle Paul seem so real right now, “It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me.” Wow!
I specifically pray for Alpha which starts this week. Jesus, I open my heart to anyone you bring to mind for me to grace with an invite to Alpha. I trust Your grace for all the ways I will mess today up. I trust Your grace for all the ways You will work through me today as I notice people gracefully!
Amen
