The Master’s Touch

Luke 8:40-56

A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed

40 So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him. 41 And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus' feet and begged Him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying.

But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. 43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, 44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.

45 And Jesus said, "Who touched Me?"

When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, "Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'"

46 But Jesus said, "Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me." 47 Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.

48 And He said to her, "Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace."

49 While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, "Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher."

50 But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well." 51 When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. 52 Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, "Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping." 53 And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead.

54 But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, "Little girl, arise." 55 Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. 56 And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened.

The Master’s touch came to bring life and wholeness to those broken by sin.  The ruler of the synagogue had a dying daughter and fell in worship to beg Jesus to come and touch her to restore the life that was fading away.  He had faith that trusted the Master’s healing hand could bring her from the edge of death back into the land of the living once more because of what He had been doing and what Jairus believed Jesus could do if He was willing.  But along the way to the man’s house, Jesus was slowed by a huge throng all wanting healing by His mighty hand until a woman pressed through the crowd to touch Him.  Her flow of blood that had not stopped for twelve years just stopped.  Immediately.  By faith.  By touch.  Jesus wanted her to come openly to confess and demonstrate her faith to all who were there to witness the results because it was the trust in Jesus and His touch that needed to be demonstrated and acknowledged by her and the witnesses around them.  She came for and what did the Master do?  He told her that it was her faith in Him that made her whole again, not the power of her faith, but trust in the Lord that He was able to make her well.  The object of her faith was not the Faith or the act of touching Him, but His touch in which she trusted.  He told her to be joyful and to go at peace in God for this blessing on her.  By then a messenger came from Jairus’ house to let the Master know that His life giving touch was no longer required for the daughter had expired.  What did Jesus do?  He told them not to fear death but trust Him for life.  That is the heart of the gospel, peace with God (Romans 5:1) and a certain hope of life with Him (Romans 8:25, 15:12-13, 1 Corinthians 15:19, Titus 1:2, Hebrews 6:19, 1 Peter 1:3) that never ends.  The Lord went to the girl with the three trusted disciples and the girl’s mother.  He told them not to sorrow for her death because He was bringing her back to them, telling her to rise up and eat something to regain her strength and demonstrate she was alive by the Master’s hand that touched her body and soul.  His nail-scarred hands continue to bring life to the spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1) as His touch by faith gives us eternal life and peace with God because we no longer have to fear a certain death and an inevitable judgment (Hebrews 2:14-15, 9:27-28, 1 John 4:18).  The Master’s touch bring life and peace, joy and purpose to living and dying for those who trust and receive Him by taking Him at His word.  May we be faithful and joyful witnesses of this grace given by His mighty hand of love and grace to us.