Power over Sickness and Death

Sermon 34 in Series

Luke 8:40-56

[40] Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. [41] And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus’ feet, he implored him to come to his house, [42] for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying.

As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. [43] And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. [44] She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. [45] And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” [46] But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” [47] And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. [48] And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

[49] While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” [50] But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” [51] And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. [52] And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” [53] And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. [54] But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” [55] And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. [56] And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.  What stands out the most to you about Jesus’ power and authority in the last three passages we’ve covered (vv. 22-25; 26-39; 40-56)? How has it deepened your worship?
2.  How do these two intertwined miracle stories go together? How do they collectively show Jesus’ work of reversing the Fall?
3.  How does Luke describe the suffering of Jairus and the woman? Where do we see Jesus’ compassion?
4.  How does this passage encourage us to take our cares and hardships to Jesus in prayer? In what ways are we tempted to replace, delay, or dismiss prayer?
5.  What impact does the repetition of “immediately” have on the reader? What does it say about the person of Christ?
6.  How does this passage emphasize the importance of faith? How does it present faith as active?
7.  How does the raising of Jairus’ daughter reiterate what we’ve already seen? Why should it give great hope and joy in the face of death?

References: John 11:17-44 (corporate reading); Colossians 1:16; Ephesians 1:20-22; Mark 5:23; Leviticus 15:25-27; Mark 5:26, 28; Luke 6:19; Ephesians 2:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:10; Luke 7:11-17; Revelation 21:1-4.