18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.”19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart,daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region.REFLECTIONSWritten by Zac AndersonThe two episodes in this one passage show us what it means and what happens when we have faith in Jesus.Notice how social standing makes no difference to Jesus and his compassion. Here we meet a man who is revered as a synagogue leader, and a woman who is reviled because she is continually unclean. He was so confident that he just interrupted Jesus' teaching, she was nervous even about touching Jesus' cloak. Jesus shows grace to both.But it's the similarities in the stories that really teach us about faith in Jesus. Both the synagogue leader and the woman come to Jesus. This is the first step, of course, but it's what they both do next that makes their encounters life changing. They trust that Jesus has the power to save (v18b and v21). This is what it means to have faith in Jesus – to admit you need rescue from sin (which is why death and illness are in our lives), and trust that he can provide it.And what happens? Jesus acts instantly on both occasions (v19 and 22). Jesus heals instantly and effortlessly both times (v22 and 25). Jesus restores the bleeding woman with one sentence, and the lifeless girl with one motion. To Jesus, raising the dead is the same as waking someone up (v24).The matchless might of Jesus to save, is beautifully balanced by his total tenderness. Have you ever felt ignored, forgotten, or dismissed? The woman had probably lived as an outcast for 12 years, and what’s the first thing Jesus does with her? He sees her, tells her to take heart and calls her “daughter.” With the girl, he goes to her and takes her by the hand.Do you or someone you know need to entrust your life into the ready, strong yet gentle hands of Jesus? Do that now or pray for them.QUESTIONDo you ever wonder whether Jesus really cares or listens when we ask him for help? What does this passage show us about Jesus?ABOUT THE AUTHORZac is a member of our Bossley Park Church.