WATCHWORD:
18 As Jesus was saying this, the leader of a synagogue came and knelt before him. “My daughter has just died,” he said, “but you can bring her back to life again if you just come and lay your hand on her.” 19 So Jesus and his disciples got up and went with him. 20 Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe, 21 for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” 22 Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment. 23 When Jesus arrived at the official’s home, he saw the noisy crowd and heard the funeral music. 24 “Get out!” he told them. “The girl isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” But the crowd laughed at him. 25 After the crowd was put outside, however, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up! 26 The report of this miracle swept through the entire countryside. Matthew 9:18-26
Meditation:
The Final Say
In recent months, we have been exposed to multiple court trials because of violence within our society. The killings, even accidentally, have dominated the news cycles and we have struggled with how do we change the tone and atmosphere of our society, and return to what we seem to remember as a more peaceful, calm, and innocent time in our nation’s history?
But all of this court news is not new. Judging and being judged has been going on since creation. Even the act of harming others is not new under the sun. When we dwell too much on the violence, on judging, on court trials, etc., the core of our Christian faith is shaken, and somehow the truth that God is in charge, and that he loves us dearly, may get lost in the shuffle. Dear ones, never lose sight of who has The Final Say –
In a recent Portals of Prayer devotional, there was this statement under the title The Final Say:
In a court of law, as in many aspects of our lives, there is someone who calls the shots and has the final say about decisions to be made. We are blessed to know that God, our Father, has the final say in every aspect of our lives. Sin placed us in death, and we were declared guilty. But Jesus had the final say when he took our sin on Himself by giving His life on the cross so we could live. Our God is all powerful, and there’s nothing impossible for Him. Death couldn’t hold Him, and death cannot hold us either because Jesus continues to lay His hand on us and give us life. We now rejoice in God’s gift through Christ, who cheers us and gives us life by touching our hearts with the saving power of His Word. He redeemed and forgave us, setting us free to rejoice in His loving blessings.
We don’t want some judge in a courtroom to have the final say over what happens in our lives, but we are reassured and at peace when we have given our lives to Jesus the Christ, for we know He is just, and forgiving, and He loves us. To know that we are truly His for all eternity should give us peace and calmness. Amen.
Bulletin Board:
I don’t know Who – or What – put the question. I don’t know when it was put. I don’t even remember answering. But at some moment I did answer Yes to Someone – or Something – and from that hour I was certain that existence is meaningful and that, therefore, my life, in surrender, had a goal.
Closing Prayer:
Lord, as a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants our soul for You. Our soul thirsts for You, for living God. We hope in You because only You have the final say in our lives. Lay your hands on us through Your Word and through the Sacraments and we will forever live with You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
