Bible Insights with Pastor L.A. Ott
Thursday, October 3, 2024
A Mute Man Speaks
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
According to Your Faith
Sunday, September 15, 2024
Little Girl, Arise!
"When Jesus returned" from the region of the Gadarenes to the shores of the Sea of Galilee near the city of Capernaum, "the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him" (Luke 8:40). Many people waited with great anticipation for Jesus to return and preach the Word of God, as well as to heal those among them who suffered from various ailments.
"And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus' feet and begged Him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying" (vv. 41-42a). Jairus was essentially the head of the synagogue. He was responsible for the maintenance of the synagogue building and the organization of the worship services (what we today would call a trustee or a deacon).
As Jesus was going with Jairus to his home (v. 42b), a woman made her way through the crowd, "touched the border of His garment," and was healed (v. 44). Jesus acknowledged her healing, and "while He was still speaking" with her, someone from Jairus' home came and said, "Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher" (v. 49).
Jesus heard what was said, turned to Jairus and said, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well" (v. 50). What a word of comfort that must have been! Yet somehow, even though that word came from Jesus, I can imagine that Jairus was still overtaken by grief. Who wouldn't be? I know I would be. It would seem that actually seeing her alive is what would help the most.
"When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl" (v. 51). Outside the home there was quite a scene. According to tradition, people gathered and "all wept and mourned for her" (v. 52a). But Jesus said to them, "Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping" (v. 52b). They then began to ridicule Him because they knew "she was dead" (v. 53).
Jesus then went into her room, "took her by the hand and called, saying, 'Little girl, arise'" (v. 54). We know that she had indeed died because her spirit or soul had left her body. When Jesus said to her, "Arise" (v. 54b), "her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat" (v. 55).
Of course, "her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened" (v. 56). Again, it wasn't time for Him to be fully revealed as to who He is and why He came. But the people outside would figure it out when they saw the little girl alive and well.
Any time Jesus speaks to your heart and mind with that still small voice, take note. Listen to what the Lord says and trust Him. He will never fail you. He will take care of your needs and bless you greatly. Again, just trust Jesus. Amen.
Monday, September 2, 2024
The Woman Who Told the Whole Truth
Thursday, August 29, 2024
The Man Who Lived in the Tombs
Tuesday, August 20, 2024
Stretch Out Your Hand
Thursday, August 15, 2024
Just Say the Word
Jesus had finished teaching His disciples, along with the crowds that followed Him everywhere, having given His sermon on mount. Then we are told in Luke 7:1, "Now when He concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum." Jesus was likely headed for Peter's home which served as headquarters for His Galilean ministry, as well as the place where He stayed when in Capernaum.
Upon entering the city, Jesus has an interesting encounter. We are simply told, "And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear to him, was sick and ready to die" (v. 2). In the parallel passage in Matthew 8:6, the centurion clarifies the situation, saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented."
The centurion, an officer in the Roman army that commands one hundred men, "when he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to Him, pleading with Him to come and heal his servant" (Luke 7:3). When the elders "came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving" (v. 4). They noted that this centurion "loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue" (v. 5).
"Jesus went with them" (v. 6a). As He began to approach the centurion's home, He came upon a second wave of messengers: "The centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, 'Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, "Go," and he goes; and to another, "Come," and he comes; and to my servant, "Do this," and he does it'" (vv. 6b-8).
As I have said before, Jesus recognizes great faith and He honors such faith. "When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, 'I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!'" (v. 9). The centurion, a Roman officer, sent word through his friends to Jesus, telling Him simply, "Say the word!" (v. 7b). That's all! Just, "Say the word, and my servant will be healed" (v. 7b).
And guess what? Jesus just said the word and the paralysis left the servant and he was healed. We are told, "And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick" (v. 10). Jesus did not lay hands on the servant. He did not even lay His eyes on either the servant or the centurion. He just said the word, as the centurion asked, and the servant was healed.
Have a little faith. Jesus said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you" (Matt. 17:20). When you trust in Jesus by faith, He will watch over you. Amen.