Thoughts for the Day

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered round him; and he was by the lake. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, 'My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.' So he went with him.

....some people came from the leader's house to say, 'Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?' But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, 'Do not fear, only believe.' He allowed no-one to follow him except Peter, James and John, the brother of James. When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. When he had entered, he said to them, 'Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.' And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her. 'Talitha cum', which means, 'Little girl, get up!' And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement.

(New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

In September 1951 I was given an Enid Blyton book for my birthday, called 'The Little Girl of Capernaum', which I absolutely loved. It was the healing of Jairus' daughter written in story form. The little girl was given the name of Anna in this book, and she looked very much like me with long brown curly hair and a fringe, which is probably why I remember the book so well. In the story we see the desperate search by her father to find Jesus and beg for his help. Incidentally I still have the book!

I sometimes get people asking about the miracles in the New Testament, not sure if they were all miracles, or if a 'medical' explanation can be made for some of them. My own feeling is God is capable of doing anything, and because I have faith in Jesus, I have no problem as to whether there was a miracle or not - Jesus could do either!

And what about today? I have faith that God can and does heal us, and we should approach Him in faith when we ask for His help, but we should also bear in mind that His plans are sometimes different to ours!

Friday 24th July, follow up thoughts

Lord God,
when we or someone we love is sick,
give us the faith to ask for your help,
that healing may be given.
Yet let it be Your will, not ours.
Amen.