A Dozen Years
Imagine suffering for twelve years. Imagine twelve years of joy.
Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. Just then there came a man named Jairus, a leader of the synagogue. He fell at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, who was dying. As he went, the crowds pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years; and though she had spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. Then Jesus asked, “Who touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and press in on you.” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; for I noticed that power had gone out from me.” When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” While he was still speaking, someone came from the leader’s house to say, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the teacher any longer.” When Jesus heard this, he replied, “Do not fear. Only believe, and she will be saved.” When he came to the house, he did not allow anyone to enter with him, except Peter, John, and James, and the child’s father and mother. They were all weeping and wailing for her; but he said, “Do not weep; for she is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and called out, “Child, get up!” Her spirit returned, and she got up at once. Then he directed them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astounded; but he ordered them to tell no one what had happened. - Luke 8:40-56
Twelve years is the life of a child in Jesus' day. From age thirteen, the child is considered an adult, and can move on in life, taking on responsibility for himself, or herself, even marrying.
When a child is twelve, the parent is still responsible for her or him. To have that child sick and dying just when she was about to become a woman had to be painful for Jairus.
And I don't think it a coincidence that the woman with hemorrhages suffered twelve years. Luke put these two together to make us draw the connection.
Twelve years of pain for one is twelve years of joy for another. And the same man, this unusual character who calls himself the Son of Man, God's Son, can remove suffering and extend joy, all with only a word or a touch.
What does this tell us about our situation in life?
No matter how long we have suffered, God can make it better. No matter what comes our way to take away our joy, God can bring it back.
We just have to have faith.
It is not only about redemption in the afterlife. Our faith heals today.
More to come...