Luke 8:40-56

In chapters 7 and 8 there is a common theme of desperation and begging. Luke is pointing out God’s compassion. Luke stacks stories before and after the question, “who is this that the wind and waves obey him?” Chiastic structure. There is nothing he is not sovereign over. 

Two of the strongest impurities in the OT were dead bodies and blood. Touching anything associated with either of these made a person unclean. Jesus over and over touches the impure to free them. He breaks social and religious taboos to free people. No one is too far gone or off limits. 

Jairus was the administrator of the synagogue. This highly respected religious man throws himself at the feet of this traveling, unsanctioned rabbi. His baby girl who was ready to enter the next phase of life and this should be joyful was near death. 

Hem of his garment- tsit tsit braided at the four corners to remind a person of their need for God. This is what the woman most likely touched. 

This is the only time that in any interaction with women that he calls her “daughter.” 

Some people take this passage and twist it to be a hyper faith formulaic method of getting things from God. 

1. Don’t construct doctrine from one occurrence in narrative. 

2. Jesus probably wasn’t actually shocked. It sounds more like God calling Adam and Eve in the garden. He is giving an opportunity for someone in the shadows to come forward and be loved in the light. The point was elevating her and bringing her out of the shadows. 

For 12 years she has been a social outcast, unable to be touched or participate in any religious ceremonies. Jesus not only healed her body, but restored her into public life. 

Jairus just watched Jesus heal someone, but also the pause was an interruption in an urgent situation. 

Vs 51 Jesus only let a couple of people in the house. Not everything God is doing in your life is for everyone all of the time. Use discretion in your circles. 

A great crowd of mourners is there. They all know she is dead. It’s odd that Jesus says, “don’t tell anyone.”

For a second time Jesus makes himself unclean by touching the dead girl. 

The woman was bleeding for twelve years and the little girl is twelve years old. Twelve years of life, belonging, celebration, blessing vs twelve years of loss, isolation, fear, rejection. 

The woman must have felt hurt and frustration that someone else has a daddy who fights for her and gets help. Jesus calls her daughter in front of everyone. She needed to hear someone say, “you belong to me.”

Jairus sees someone else get healing when his need was more urgent.