“The Just Shall Live By Faith”

New King James Version                          Written by: David Hicks

 

Romans 1:17 “ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

Galatians 3:11 “But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for "the just shall live by faith."

Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."

“Articles of Faith"

An Orderly Account Of The Greatest Story Ever Told

(A Study in Luke)

Chapter 8:40-56:

After having taken a trip across the Sea of Galilee to the country of the Gadarenes and healing a demon possessed man, the Lord would return again to Capernaum . Here, He will continue His demonstrations of the power behind His Apostleship as the Christ of God (Hebrews 3:1 - “One sent), by restoring life and healing (verification is the purpose behind these acts!).

Text #1:

Luke 8:40-42 “So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him. 41 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, 42 for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying.
But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him.”

Also found in: Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43 .

Multitudes: By now we should completely understand that the multitudes followed Jesus because He either fed them or healed them (feeding them to come in Chapter nine). There were; however, a small number that actually wanted to hear His teaching (5:1).

Jairus: All three accounts of the Gospels refer to Jairus as either “a ruler” or “a ruler of the synagogue”. The ruler of the synagogue at the time of Jesus was an official appointed by the elders of the synagogue. They were responsible for the building itself and the property, the oversight of the worship services, the maintenance of order in the assemblies (chap. 13:14), the appointment of those to read from the scriptures and to pray, and inviting travelers to speak of news from their home or from where they had come (Acts 13:15). Generally there was only one ruler per synagogue; however, we can read that others had more than one (Acts 13:15).

Apart from his occupation and that he had a daughter; we don't know anything else about Jairus.

Begged Jesus to Come to his House: Even though he was a man of authority among the people, he showed great humility in his approach and beseeching of the Lord. This very lowly act for a man of power showed that his need was greater than his pride.

None of the accounts describe if this humility was the reason that Jesus went with him to his house.

Text #2:

Luke 8:43-48 “Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, 44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.
45 And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?”
When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?'”
46 But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” 47 Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.
48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

A Woman: As the Lord made His way to Jairus' house, the throngs of people made the journey difficult. A woman, which Luke being a physician would describe in remarkable detail; as having an illness of a constant flow of blood, would touch the Lord from behind.

Her illness made her unclean to everyone and to openly approach those considered clean and especially a Rabbi was expressly forbidden. This would explain her timid approach from behind as well as not making her request openly known (see: Leviticus 15:19-30 – which would also describe that even after the discharge had been healed she would have still been unclean for seven additional days and she would have to have a sacrifice and a priest declare her clean before she could once again be recognized among the people).

It is also noteworthy to recognize that she had spent her livelihood on physicians to no avail. We should consider that medicine of this day consisted of herbs, spices, plant based medicines, salves, and even exorcism.

Who Touched Me?: Here Luke will describe for us that the Lord, although unaware of the approach from behind, was in complete control of His power. His recognition of power leaving Him, prompted Him to inquire as to whom it had gone out to.

Matthew's account would denote that she conceived in her heart that if she could just touch His garment, she knew she would be healed (Matthew 9:21). This was the reason she confessed to Jesus and all around as what motivated her to act in such a bold way.

Be of Good Cheer: The religious leaders of the people would have strictly rebuked this woman for her actions and causing their garments, by her touch, to be unclean. Jesus would once again display the true meaning of the Old Law in His mercy on this woman whose faith in His power allowed her to be healed!

Hosea 6:6 “For I desire mercy and not sacrifice, And the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.”

The Laws of God given to the children of Israel, were given to help and aid them in being a people set apart to God; they were never given to be used without mercy or true consideration for those of the house of Israel in need.

This was the point of the Lord in defense of His healing on the Sabbath, note:

Luke 6:9 “Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?”

Matthew, Mark, and Luke's account of this healing is given to show that a merciful disposition is to be sought by all, in contrast to a judgmental disposition.

Text #3:

Luke 8:49-56 “While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.”
50 But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” 51 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. 52 Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping.” 53 And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead.
54 But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” 55 Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. 56 And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened.”

Note: Jairus' anxiety over his daughter caused him to humble himself before the Lord, something he probably would never have done before this. Yet, in none of the accounts is there any mention of him murmuring, protesting, or even being angry at the delay of the Lord!

Your Daughter is Dead: His fear had been realized, he had failed to bring Jesus to her in time. These, knowing why he went came to state that it was of no use to bring Jesus now (they didn't know, did they???).

Do not be Afraid: Jesus would offer these words to attempt to comfort Jairus and distinguish that he had done right by coming to Him regardless of the situation.

Note: According to the custom of this time, deep mourning began at the moment of death and commenced for 3 days after the burial. After the deep mourning, a standard mourning continued for 4 more days and at the conclusion of that, a light mourning continued for 30 more days. I have not been able to find anything that describes the different degrees of mourning from one-another, so we are left to our own ability to reason?

Ridicule: The mourners that had been gathered together at her death became indignant to the Lord; because He said she was sleeping and not dead. This shows that beyond a shadow of a doubt, they knew she was dead.

Little Girl, Arise: The Lord went in to the little girl and allowed the mother, father, Peter, James, and John to go in with Him. With everyone but these out the house, the Lord took her hand and commanded her to arise. His touching her hand, must have been the reason He put the rest out of the house, as touching the dead body would have made Him unclean (Numbers 19:11-13).

Mark's Gospel would uniquely state the Lord's command to the little girl in Aramaic, the everyday spoken language of the people (Mark 5:41).

The little girl arose immediately and the Lord commanded that she be given something to eat as proof that they were not imagining this.

The reason He commands that they do not speak of this (Vs. 5), is not given. We do know that in other similar accounts Jesus performed miracles or was demonstrated to be the Son of God, He would give the same instructions. If it was to keep the multitudes from following Him, it was never successful! However, after His transfiguration one explanation exists. When He commanded the chosen; who were allowed to witness on the mount, He told them not to speak of what transpired until He was risen from the dead (Matthew 17:9). Interestingly enough, it was Peter, James, and John; the same ones He allowed in the house???

Next: “The Limited Commission”