April 1, 2026

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“While He was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before Him saying, ‘My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.’ Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.”

(Matthew 9.18-19)

TODAY’S REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

Yes, I know it is Holy Week and reflections upon the events which happened during that time might be expected of me (for those who have been following along.) Following instead the events of Matthew’s calling to be a disciple allows me to reflect on those days leading from Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem to His resurrection. Reading further in Matthew, chapter 9, we find a cascade of events that seem to follow and highlight a theme that would dominate Jesus’ ministry. It was a theme of “expected healing.” Wherever Jesus went there was an expectation of healing. Even when death was already present, Jesus was looked upon the giver of life. It wasn’t just about healing when Jesus touched lives, it was about living. In today’s scripture reading, we hear of a synagogue leader whose daughter had just died. He had not come to Jesus previously when she was sick and many parents had done. We do not know of his reason to delay. Did he not believe in Jesus? Was it a challenge to turn to Jesus who already was not popular with those who administered the traditions of worship and service according to The Law? Desperate times call for desperate measures. I don’t think it could be any more desperate a time than having your daughter die. What grieve and remorse he must have felt as he came to Jesus. Why did he come? Well, to have his daughter restored, of course. That is not my question, however. He came because of the faith of others such as the four men who believed that Jesus could heal their paralyzed friend. Jesus was moved by their faith. Remember that Jesus didn’t just restore his physical abilities. Jesus restored his life ability. He forgave the man his sins. He didn’t have to go and make sacrifice to God. He had gone to the source of life and found the well of hope overflowing beyond his expectation. His doubts were removed. His burdens eased. His hope restored. Matthew himself was a testimony of an unexpected healing. He never asked, at least audibly nor in person, for Jesus to stop and speak to him. Yet, Jesus did stop. Jesus did speak. Jesus restored Matthew’s life. Jesus gave him resilience and authority of the gospel. Matthew brought others to Jesus and made them all feel welcome and at home.

So when the synagogue leader came to Jesus, he wasn’t worried about sins, debts and trespasses. He was overwhelmed with the desire to live. His daughter had died. He had died with her. So, too, his family and their friends. The shadow of death draped over them all and would have consumed them if not for the word of Jesus. “Just the touch of your hand is enough,” said the father. “Touched” by the father’s request, Jesus got up and went and His five disciples went with Him. The crowd went with Him. The Jews of rank and those who were not held in respect all went along. It was a parade not too dissimilar to the one which entered into Jerusalem on the first day of Passover Week which ended in Jesus’ death leading to His resurrection. See, even there, the question of sin is laid to rest and the affirmation of life in righteous power and abundance is lifted up. Notice, as you read further, that there was a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. We are not told why. We are only told of the circumstance which would have alienated her from her community. She would have been looked at as one who “was dead.” She thought to herself, “If only I could touch the hem of His robe, I will be healed.” She reached out. Unnoticed by the crowd, she was known by Jesus. He stopped, having heard and felt her, and declared, “Daughter, your faith has made you well.” And it was so. No doubt she joined the parade as well, singing His praises because “one who was dead was now alive.” Everyone loves a parade, right? Not! When Jesus arrived at the father’s house, the mourning party was in full force. There was “weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth.” The pipers and wailers were in full voice. You could see the shadow covering them all (they would have been dressed in black from head to toe.) He looked at them and declared “This girl is not dead; she has only fallen asleep.” They laughed at Him. He put them out of the house for their lack of faith. Just as it had been in Nazareth that no good work could be done there because they would not believe, so it was in that moment. He cleared the house, much as the man who cast out the evil spirit plaguing his house. Jesus swept it clean of the talk of death with just a sweep of His hand. It was the very same hand that showed obedience to the faith of the father. The father said, “If you just touch her.” That is what Jesus did. No words are recorded. No prayers were remembered. Just the word of faith from a father who dared to love, hoped to live and decided to believe in Jesus. He reached out, took her by the hand and she was restored to life. I can imagine Jesus took her hand and twirled her like a tiny dancer in stark contrast to the death waltz that had filled the room moments before. Then He passed her to her father who danced with her in overwhelming joy. “One who was lost was found. One who was dead has been made alive.”

Mighty ones of God, is this not the message of Holy Week?

TODAY’S PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING:

Father, in these days we are finding the need to believe even more than ever before. We all have known trouble, some in greater ways than others, but You are offering us the assurance that we will not be consumed by it forever. Regardless of the “time” we are in and the “time” we have been given, we ask for Your Holy Spirit which Jesus asked You to share with us, to lead and guide and direct us in the paths we should go. Teach us what we still need to learn. Empower us to put that learning into action. Bless our actions not as a works righteousness but as righteous works of faith, hope and love in Jesus’ name. AMEN.