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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. Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace." Luke 8:47,48 I first heard the story of Jairus' daughter and the woman who was healed by a simple tou...
Keep ReadingThen the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came tremblingand fell at his feethe said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace" (Luke 8: 47,48). Jesus is on his way to perform a very important action. Jairus's daughter is sick and dying. Jairus pleads with Jesus to help him, and Jesus agrees. But on the way he encounters another woman who need...
Keep ReadingAs Jesus was on his way (Luke 8:42b). Have you noticed how Jesus is often "on his way" when opportunities to be a good neighbor present themselves? I hope this encourages you as it does me. It means as we are "on our way," going about our business or pleasure, opportunities may present themselves to us, too. (Being immersed in a sermon series called "Won't You Be a Neigh...
Keep ReadingAs Jesus went with him, he was surrounded by the crowds. A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped. "Who touched me?" Jesus asked. Everyone denied it, and Peter said, "Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you....
Keep ReadingAs Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him [A woman] came up behind himand touched the edge of his cloak (Luke 8:42, 44). In our current Won't You Be a Neighbor? series, we're looking at the ways God "neighbors" us, and how that needs to shape us in our relations with our neighbors. This week, another Jesus-story about being a neighbor to folks you weren't s...
Keep Reading"'Which of these was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?'...'The one who had mercy on him'." (Luke 10: 36-37) What's your reaction when you're first in line at the red light, stopped right next to the disabled man holding a sign asking for help? Look away? Fumble for the least amount of change you feel you could get away with? Meet his gaze with a sm...
Keep Reading(Jesus asked) "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Then Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise" (Luke 10:36-37). It seems I become uncomfortable whenever I approach the Good Samaritan parable. I recognize this is because I immediately think of the ways ...
Keep Reading"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him" (Luke 10: 36-37). Have you ever read, seen, or heard something you think you've heard a thousand times before and just realized you missed something important? I've read the parable of the Good Samaritan dozens of ...
Keep ReadingHe answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself'" (Luke 10:27). A cousin passed away unexpectedly a few days ago at the young age of 29, and my family is gathered in Missouri this week to celebrate his life. I can't be there in person, but I've been re...
Keep ReadingBut he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?" In reply, Jesussaid to him, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fellinto the hands of robbers (Luke 10:29-30). Christ is risen! This changes everything: he is making all things new! As we continue in the celebration of Jesus's resurrection, of his defeat of and triumph over S...
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