Desperation and Faith

Pat Tedeschi
January 16, 2022
Text: Luke 8:40-56
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[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. (ESV)

Main Theme: Desperate times call for a response of dependent faith in an awe-inspiring Savior.

I. Scene 1 – Jairus: A desperate man driven to Jesus (verses 40-42)

• Luke is not only revealing the power Jesus, He is also presenting Him as a Savior of amazing grace, and compassion.
• Jesus responds immediately and goes with him.
• In verse 42 that the people pressed around him.
• So this seems to be a bit of a mob scene and people are close to being crushed.
• And since they’re all trying to get to Jesus- he’s really feeling the crush.
• Can you imagine how Jairus is feeling?
• Every moment counts to get to his daughter, and this crowd is slowing Jesus down.
• But then something happens that stops them altogether!

II. Scene 2 – The Delay: A Desperate Woman is driven to Jesus (verses 43-49)

• In His power to heal physically, Jesus is demonstrating His authority to heal spiritually– to forgive the sins of any who would come to him in dependent faith.
• So this woman is an example to the crowd and to us–that acknowledging our uncleanness of sin to Jesus will not shame or crush us–admitting it, is what will heal and save us- and it will be commended by Jesus.
• And for those of us who are in Christ, sometimes admitting our sin, admitting that we’ve done wrong, feels like it’s going to crush us.
• Jesus will commend us for admitting our sin. Have you sinned against someone else?
• Do you know you might have offended someone by your words and your actions, even if it’s just a little bit. Be willing to go to that person, admit it, and ask for their forgiveness.
• Christ will commend you for it.
• Again Luke presents to us not only Christ’s power but His extraordinary grace and kindness to those who know they need Him.

III. Scene 3 – Life fails, faith falters, Jesus revives both (verses 50-56)

• Delays are never a problem for Jesus. Death is not a problem for Jesus. In fact Jesus is in complete control–and He’s right there with Jairus,
• The delay was not an accident. It was Jesus’ power and to sustain the desperate but dependent faith of those who will come to Him.
• So what are you desperate about today? Even if you’re not really desperate, what are your burdens, what are you struggling with?
• You may not be in a place like the woman or Jairus — but every one of us carries some kind of burden.
• Where has death, sickness, desperation, or delays invaded your life?
• You may think, When will things change? When will God DO something? We can’t really be sure can we?
• What I do know and I’ve been persuaded by from this passage, is that not only does God know, but His timing is always right on time.
• There are no delays in His time table. In fact, the delays are actually part of his good plan.
• The question I think is, is, do you, can you trust this Jesus- no matter what happens or doesn’t happen?
• With that, will you trust and obey His Words as He walks along with you in your desperation and delays?
• The real point is not so much the particular healing of or the raising of the daughter. It’s about pointing us to Jesus, who’s whose power is Almighty, whose timing is perfect, who loving kindness never ends.
• My encouragement to you today is this- Hear His Words, believe His Words-I mean really believe what He says, not just in theory but to the extent you actually do something about them -in whatever burden, struggle, sin, unbelief, disappointment or delay you may be dealing with.
• What is His Word saying to you in what ever burden you carry?
• Listen carefully to what He says- care deeply about what He says.
• I often long to hear his word and believe him when I am in a desperately difficult situation.
• But sometimes, we hear his words and we’re not so desperate, and here I mean determined to hear and obey. I want to be determined to really listen to what he says and to obey.
• So what is it for you?
  • Are you desperately determined to consider others better than yourself?
  • Now think about this- really consider them better? Your spouse, your kids, people sitting next to you? Those are his words.
  • Are you desperately determined to sacrifice your interest, your dreams, your desires for others, even to the extent that we love enemies? Am I desperately determined to do that? Those are his words.
  • Am I desperately determined for holiness of life? The word says pursue holiness without which no one shall see the Lord.
  • Am I desperate to go and tell others about this awesome Savior?

Questions for Discussion/Application

• Re-read the text, Romans 8:26-28. What initial observations and insights do you have from reading this text?
• What can we learn from the example of Jairus in this story?
• What can we learn from the example of this woman, who was desperate, in this story?
• What does this narrative reveal about the character of Jesus?
• In what difficult situations do you find yourself in, where you are asking God, perhaps pleading with God for Him to intervene? In what ways might you feel desperate—like Jairus, like this woman?
• Pat said, “You may think, ‘When will things change? When will God DO something?’ We can’t really be sure can we? What I do know and I’ve been persuaded by from this passage, is that not only does God know, but His timing is always right on time.”
  • How have you seen/experienced the truth in your life that “not only does God know, but His timing is always right on time?”
  • How does remembering this truth, help and encourage you?
• Consider taking time to pray—asking God to help us to trust Him in the trials we face—in His goodness, His faithfulness, His love. Also ask God to continuing looking to him in faith to intervene in the difficult situations some of us may be facing.