Go In Peace...[Luke 8]

 ⁴¹And there came a man named Jairus, and he was an official of the synagogue; and he fell at Jesus' feet, and began to implore Him to come to his house;⁴²for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying. But as He went, the crowds were pressing against Him. ⁴³And a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone,⁴⁴came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped.
⁴⁵And Jesus said, "Who is the one who touched Me?" And while they were all denying it, Peter said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing in on You." ⁴⁶But Jesus said, "Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had gone out of Me."

 ⁴⁷When the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed. ⁴⁸And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace."

You can’t read this chapter of the gospel of Luke without sensing the tenderness of Jesus.  I am particularly struck by the interaction between Jesus and the woman who had bleeding for 12 years that could not be healed by anyone.  It sounds like she had tried everything on the market to stop the hemorrhaging. Now she has heard about another possible cure – Jesus!  I suspect she had been on the outskirts of the crowd for days, hoping to get a chance to speak to Him.  Finally, she is right beside Him as He is on His way to heal Jairus’ daughter.  She reaches out and touches His robe and is immediately healed.  She tries to slip away unnoticed but Jesus stops the whole procession to talk to her.  He wanted her private moment with Him to be public for her sake.  He gave her the opportunity to declare in the presence of everyone why she needed to be healed and that she had been healed.  What a tender moment when He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace."

Do you sense the importance of that moment?   She now could not go on her way wondering if she was really healed, doubting that moment of the power of God.  She had declared it to everyone!

Lord Jesus, we praise you for Your tenderness to this woman and to us.  You knew what she needed and You carefully provided it for her.  You know how important it is for our private moments of healing to be confirmed in public so that Your light may be revealed.

"Now no one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.” Luke 8:16-17

P. S.  We just experienced an incredible demonstration of God's love and power this weekend of our daughter's wedding.  I sense He wants me to "Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you." (v. 39)  So look for that report soon!  We are indeed well-graced.