Thursday March 21

Matthew 9:18-26

Lauren Wrightsman

Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.

We, so often, throw around the phrase “a matter of life and death,” quite casually.  But the saying, when properly used, means that there is a matter of grave urgency and importance.

In our text today we encounter a literal experience of two people who are in the middle of life and death situations. The life of the little girl has ceased, and the woman, who has been suffering from bleeding for twelve years, is treated in her circumstance as if she is no longer alive. She could not participate with her family, she could not go to the temple to worship. This had become a permanent, and seemingly, unending condition for her to endure. And then Jesus steps in. Reversing the order of creation, turning dying and death into new life. It is a prelude to the Easter proclamation that death has lost its sting.

As you live out your life this day, this week, consider the ways in which God is working a new creation within you. Consider the miracles of new life that appear around you on a daily basis, and then give thanks for a life that is a prelude to the Easter story - the promise of new life through Jesus our Christ, our Savior.

Questions for reflection:

• How does seeing Christ as the one who enters into our life change the way you look at the daily struggles of life?

• When have you experienced a “new life” moment?

Prayer:

Gracious Savior, bless me this day to see the power of your creation around me. May I be recreated to live this life in its fullest. Amen