SCRIPTURE: Luke 8:40-56 And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him. And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him. And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.
SCRIPTURAL BACKGROUND: There are two things going on here, but both give the same message. While many will focus on the child being brought back from the dead or the instantaneous healing of the woman with the issue of blood, the scriptures go far beyond the end, but the means to getting to the end is far more important. These stories both bring about the message that one must 1. Have faith, 2. With your faith press and 3. Not give up in your wait. The first story talks of a dad, Jairus, advocating for his child. He presses through the crowd to ask Jesus to come and heal his daughter on her death bed. Jesus complies with the request only to be stopped by a woman in the crowd (I will talk about this woman later). During the wait for Jesus, Jairus’ daughter died. When Jesus arrives at Jairus home, he tells Jairus and wife don’t be afraid, believe and your daughter will be healed.
Now, for the woman who caused the delay. This woman suffered from menstrual bleeding for 12 years. She was an outcast. It was illegal for her to worship in the synagogue or have normal relationships due to her issue of blood. She was considered unclean and anyone who touched her would also be considered unclean. She spent all of her money on doctors, potions and lotions. Despite it being against the law, she had faith that if she could touch Jesus’ garment she would be healed. She decided to press her way through the crowd and made a deliberate act of touching the hem of Jesus’ robe. (My revelation: More than likely she was on the ground going through the crowd as she was trying to be unnoticed, remember she was considered unclean, it was illegal for her to be among the crowd and/or this woman was probably weak from anemia as well and it was easier for her to press through the crowd on the ground.) Upon her act of faith and touching his hem, the woman was instantly healed.
MY STORY: My advocacy for my child over the years has been somewhat different from others. I certainly understand the different ways parents advocate for their child and that you must choose what you believe is best for you. After so many disappointments in relying on agencies and man to help; I decided to place my faith in Jesus and allow him to give the wisdom and resources we needed to raise our daughter. Yes, she went to the doctors for her physical and diagnosis; but the community service was a great fail. In one instance, I went to the agency and applied for services, only to not get a follow up; no return phone calls, nothing. After about 2 years, the lady calls out of nowhere stating she was cleaning up files and noticed services were not followed up with and wanted to know if we still wanted services. Even though it had been two years, I said yes and went to the office, updated information and rescheduled an appointment with her to talk about services. I went back to the rescheduled appointment and she looked at me as if I lost my mind and told me we did not have an appointment. After a few words (I was as nice as I could be), I left, and I never heard from her again about anything. I was so disappointed. It was then, I decided that my advocacy would have to be something I do through God in making sure my daughter had what she needed. I sought Him and was able to get her services she needed: afterschool care, therapy, school resources, etc. God provided our family with the necessary resources to get these things, along with the help of family and friends, we were able to make it through, even the hard times. It wasn’t always easy, but I was able to go a different route and press through to get what was needed. Just as the woman with the issue of blood going a different route, after those that were supposed to help failed, I too put my faith in God, found a different route through the crowd and pressed through.
What about Jairus and his request? Although Jairus' request was delayed, it was not denied. Despite, it being over 10 years, the services that we first sought is now in place, our daughter is graduating from high school and the agencies after hearing our journey of the failed system, is now pushing her through. We never gave up, but just decided to take a different route. Always remembering - My help comes from the Lord.
ACKNOWLEDGE:
1. That Jesus is our Lord and Savior, that through Him all things are possible- Luke 18:27. What is impossible to man is possible with God.
2. There will sometimes, if not most times, have to be a deliberate press and there may be a wait.
3. That advocacy for you and your child, may not be the same route as your neighbor or friend with an exceptional child. Your route through the crowd may be different and that is okay. The important thing is that you get on your route and you press through it.
BELIEVE:
1. You must have faith; that means believing in something before you see it happen. Hebrews 11:1 Faith is substance of things hoped for, evidence of things not seen.
2. Believe that, however you decide to advocate it will take some pressing and waiting, but that thing you hoped for will happen.
3. That you are important too! What is it you are believing in God for yourself? Don’t let the crowd or circumstance stop you. There is enough power to do both for you and your child. (This scripture has two stories in which Jesus exercised his power, he didn’t run out)
CONQUER:
1. Don’t give up, keep going, even if you can’t see through the crowd, keep pressing.
2. Learn what you can from others, seek God’s wisdom and implement it. It amazes me that this woman was not allowed to go to the synagogue or be in a crowd of people due to her condition, but she knew and learned enough about Jesus to know he can heal her.
3. Be bold in your faith and press.
4. Parents, even through the press and wait, add some time for yourself. It is not taboo to want to be restored (just as this woman with the issue of blood). We too need to have our strength renewed.
ENCOURAGING WORD: Remember, your help comes from the Lord. Have Faith, Press and Wait. You may think it is delayed, but it is not denied. He will always be on time.
PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift you have given us. Though the trials at times may seem hard, burdensome or unfair, we will always look to you and count it as joy. We know that your power is sufficient to cover us and that you will always be with us. That even though we may seem weary and disappointed we will remember to keep pressing through and that delayed does not mean denied. We rest in your glorious peace and your ever loving power. In Jesus name. Amen.
Comments