December 16, 2024
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in our Lenten readings from “The Life of Jesus”? Here’s today’s reading:
Advent 2024 – Day 16 in the Book: “The Life of Jesus“
The Year of Popularity
Read Sections 3.54 through 3.56 (pages 64-66)
This book is an account of Jesus’ life and teachings told through in chronological order from the four Gospels to create one continuous story.
*If you do not have a copy of the book please contact the church at (401)667-0775 and we can get you a copy.
These three healings. In one day. How could anyone witness this and not believe!!! The woman who’s bleeding would not stop. Ceremonially unclean again Jesus defies the law showing that compassion is much more important. Many were curious about Jesus but this woman put her trust and faith in Jesus. That’s why Jesus calls her out to show others, her faith is what healed her. The dead 12 year old daughter. People laugh at Jesus and his followers. Same as today. Until he brings you back from the dead three times. No one laughs.!! So just one afternoon Jesus heals an unclean woman. A dead 12 year old girl and a demon possessed man. Compassion. And power over nature Evil and demons. When we understand that this life is about God using us for him instead of putting ourselves first. Well that is the most important crossroads you will ever encounter
Sending you out like sheep amoungst wolves. Not a pretty picture. But to remember that even a sparrow doesn’t fall from the sky outside of God’s Will. And to remember, we are worth so much more to the point that Jesus died for you. And do not fear man! He can harm your body. But can’t touch your soul. To only fear God that can destroy both. Jesus did not come to bring peace but a sword. Have relatives that haven’t been talking to me in years because of my decision to follow Christ. Don’t really care. Only care that there souls are in jeopardy
Left a comment on day 16. Meant for day 17.
Advent Day 16
It’s mind boggling that Jesus’ followers were so amazed with His wisdom, teaching and doing miracles that they just couldn’t accept him….ultimately driving him out of his own hometown. He must’ve been saddened having to leave his town and all the while realizing that his faithless hometown people still refused to accept Him for who he was. They must’ve known him as a boy in the town but as a man they rejected him. Jesus lived as a human being with all the feelings and emotions we have. I can’t even imagine how he felt leaving his town. As I read this rejection, it makes me feel saddened for Him.
Whether Jesus lays His hands on you or you place your hands on Jesus, it really doesn’t matter. Jesus has power to heal independent of the means. But I love this story because of its emphasis on faith. Many people were touching Him, but only one was touching him with need and faith. And she is the one who is healed. And people can only know what they have experienced. Death means mourning and is easily turned to laughter when someone suggests something so preposterous. If she is just sleeping, then why are we here? And Jesus does the unexpected and the remarkable. Death had no power over Him. After doing this healing a couple of blind men and driving out an evil spirit are nothing. And yet the issue is still do you believe that I can do this. Need and faith are a winning combination when that faith is directed to Jesus. And yet, when you knew Him when, and He was just the carpenter’s son…that is how it usually goes, but it should have been different when it came to Jesus…
I was noticing a pattern of faith vs fear in these passages and Jesus’ compassion matching the heart condition of the people.
From day 15: With the demons leaving the man into the pigs, the pig owners ask Jesus to leave. The man wants to follow Jesus but Jesus tells him to go home and tell about the Lord.
Jairus’ Faith is interrupted….
The bleeding woman has faith that merely touching Jesus will heal her, and it does! But then when she is found out she is shaking in fear, but Jesus assures her that her faith has made her well.
Jairus is told his daughter is dead, oh no! Too late! But Jesus says, “don’t be afraid, just believe.”
It is so difficult not to fear, we must do daily combat with our shield of faith and our swords! When our livelihood (the pigs) is threatened do we have fear and tell Jesus to go away or do we have faith? When we have a dying child, do we respond in faith or fear? Severe health issue, faith or fear? It was good to see that Jesus didn’t get angry or rebuke people for legitimate fear, but he assured them. It was only the questioning lack of faith from His hometown that Jesus “was not able to do any miracles” it says.
Good insight, Amy!
Thanks, Pastor.
Powerful to see people’s level of faith in regards to miracles. It wasn’t that Jesus’ touch alone was like a magic trick but rather those that truly believed that He was who He said He was and could do as He said He could do. Those in His own hometown could not get passed what they already believed about Him to be true and therefore they did not have the chance to see His power at work in their lives. A good lesson to never get “too familiar” with the power of God and take for granted the work He has done and can do in your life.
Advent day 16