Meditations

”As Jesus went along, the people pressed in upon Him… and a woman came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His garment… and falling down before Him, trembling for fear, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched Him and how she had been immediately healed. And He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.’ ” (Luke 8:42-48) “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the power of His word.” (Heb 1:3)

Jesus really is Grace. Dallas Willard had a simple definition for grace: “It is God in action, doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves.” And that is Jesus, the Gentle Healer, always being pressed in upon and yet never in a hurry – always with time for others as He moves purposefully towards His next life saving task. “Jesus is passing through the crowd on His way to the house of Jairus, so that He might raise the ruler’s dead daughter. He is so extravagant in His goodness that He works another miracle on His way there. He is so prolific in grace that, like the sun that shines as it rolls onward in its orbit, His path is radiant with loving-kindness. He is a swift breeze of love that not only reaches its ordained target, but perfumes the air through which it travels. Pure goodness is always going out of Jesus, just as sweet fragrance exudes from flowers.” (Charles Spurgeon)

“What delightful encouragement this truth affords us! If our Lord is so ready to heal the sick and bless the needy, then, my soul, do not be slow to put yourself in His path so that He might touch you, even with His smile. Pay careful attention to His Word, now and at all times, so that He may speak through it to your heart. Pull Him close to you so that you may obtain His blessing, for He always comes to hearts that need Him. And do you not need Him? For He knows the extent of your need; so turn and look deep into His eyes and call upon Him while He is near.” (Spurgeon, “Morning by Morning”) “Pass me not, O Gentle Savior, Hear my humble cry, While on others Thou art smiling, do not pass me by.” (Fanny Crosby) (Luke 18:35-43)

David