Missional Jesus works with all kinds of people — not just his followers and not just his family. In this passage today we find missional Jesus revealing what “missional” means.
Two stories, one of Jesus healing the woman stuck in her place in society because of bleeding and another young girl who was dead.
1. Missional Jesus knows that the purity laws as interpreted in his day by the religious experts divided people and kept people from the place of purity — which was extended beyond the Temple to include other places like relationships. So Jesus was sensitive to this person’s need and heals her.
2. Missional Jesus is depicted as a man of charismatic presence; the woman is healed by touching Jesus.
3. Missional Jesus heals on the basis of faith.
Luke 8:40 Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. 41 Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.
As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.
Luke 8:45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”
Luke 8:46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”
Luke 8:47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
4. Missional Jesus raises from the dead — but someone around the synagogue leader doesn’t think even Jesus can pull this one off.
5. Jesus interrupts that conversation to say that faith can do more than what most realize. Here we see faith appealed to as something that appears beyond reason.
6. Missional Jesus demonstrates his power as a mentor with his students; he also lets in the child’s parents.
7. Missional Jesus exhorts those who saw his deeds not to tell others — in order to prevent a false view of his mission to arise.
Luke 8:49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.”
Luke 8:50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”
Luke 8:51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. 52 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.”
Luke 8:53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” 55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.