Beyond the Weekend

May 8 | Encounters with Jesus

May 8, 2023

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” Luke 8:45-46

Read: Luke 8:40-56
Listen:
Luke 8

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Word of the “Healer’s” arrival spreads quickly. As Jesus steps on shore at Galilee, an expectant crowd surrounds him. Among the crowd is Jairus, a leader in the synagogue whose 12-year-old daughter is critically ill. He convinces Jesus to come to his house. Making his way through narrow alleys, Jesus is pressed upon from all sides by people looking for a word or a touch. Seeing him pass by is a woman with a chronic and debilitating health issue. She reaches out and touches the edge of Jesus’s cloak. She is instantly healed! She knows it, and Jesus knows it. Jesus stops walking and wants to know who has touched him. Jesus stopping is not what Jairus needs. He needs Jesus to keep moving quickly. Jesus eventually arrives, but not before the girl has died. This sets the stage for Jesus raising her from the dead, the second of two miracles on this day.

We can tell a lot about someone by watching how they interact with people. It’s true with Jesus, too. We can learn a lot about him by closely watching his one-on-one interactions with people. Learning about Jesus starts the process of becoming more like him. Becoming more like him is called “discipleship” because the goal of a disciple is to become like their master. Seeing how Jesus interacts with those in need, including those in desperate situations, helps us know how to best live in our challenges.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Placing your faith and trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins is just the beginning of your relationship with him. He wants you to know and do much more as one of his followers. One of the things he wants for you is to know him better and deeper. An excellent way to do this is to read longer passages in the Gospels frequently. Today, read all of Luke 8 and pay close attention to the various interactions Jesus has with those he meets.


2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.

May is SECRECY. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.


Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.

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