Join us for a powerful message based on Luke 8:40-56. Discover how Jesus restores not only bodies but identities, and be reminded that faith, not status, moves the heart of God.
This Is My Story
April 27, 2025 | Pastor Will Fillingham
Jairus - A Story of Enlightenment
We’re excited to welcome Will Fillingham as our guest speaker this Sunday. Will and his wife, Juniece, pastor The Bridge Church near Christiansburg, VA, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and they have four children. Will is passionate about healthy discipleship and is dedicated to equipping the church with the message of Galatians 4:19: “That Christ be formed in you.”
Luke 8:40-56 (ESV),
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 anymore.” 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.
A Story of “Tension”—between power and powerlessness, between clean and unclean, between religious rules and divine compassion, between delay and deliverance.
“Desperation is often the door through which the divine walks in.” — Unknown
- Compassionate people are always willing to be inconvenienced!
- Both the scorned and the elite come together on common ground, in the presence of Jesus, desperate for a miracle.
- Jesus does not measure desperation and compassion based on social status, bank accounts, ethnic background, political parties, or social media followers, rather, Jesus feels needs.
Luke 8:47,
She declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him…
Jesus doesn’t just heal in private—He restores in public. He wants the crowd to see her not as ‘unclean’ but as ‘daughter.’ She had to be restored in front of the crowds!
“Jesus doesn't just forgive sins in secret—He restores dignity in public.” — Unknown
Often, you have to believe that God will provide the same miracles for others that you are asking for yourself!
Job 34:19,
He does not take the side of rulers, nor favor the rich over the poor, for he created everyone.
Jesus is the great equalizer!
“At the foot of the cross, the ground is level.” — Unknown
Jairus: “Whom God has enlightened.”
Never pass by people who are hungering for your heavenly touch! Be willing to be inconvenienced.
- They are on a 12-year journey to Jesus, and you have been placed in their path.
