Luke 8:40 Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him.
According to commentary, the demon-possessed man was on the gentile side of the lake. In today’s scripture, Jesus has just returned to the Jewish side of the lake, but commentary says it’s still surprising that a synagogue leader would believe in Jesus, and that he only confessed his belief when his daughter was at the point of death and then only to get Jesus’s assistance.
Luke 8:41 Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house
It reminds me of a church marquee I once saw, “When all else fails, pray.” Should you wait until all else fails? But Jesus doesn’t interrogate (“Why did you wait until your daughter was on the point of death to publicly believe?”, doesn’t condemn “Too bad, so sad. You missed your chance for My healing.” He simply responds to the faith of the father and goes to assist.
Luke 8:42a …because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.
Precious Savior, We do not deserve Your goodness. We cannot earn Your mercy. And yet, You lavish us with all of that and more daily. Thank You for responding to us in faith. Thank You for meeting us where we are. Help us to grow in love, in mercy, in You. Always. Help us. Amen.
Luke 8:42b …As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him.
Have a blessed day.