
31 DAYS OF UNITY CAMPAIGN
DAY THIRTY-FOUR
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21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23 He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. 30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” 31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who toucheD me?’ ” 32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” 35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” 36 Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” 37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.
As we conclude this journey, it is appropriate for us to stop, give thanks, and enjoy the goodness we have received from God. During these brief 31 days, we have been reminded that God sees and knows us. This is such good news. We are known. We are loved. We are called. May that joy fill us and inspire us to work for the healing and unity of the church. May our gratitude make us slow to speak, quick to listen, and slow to anger. May this work renew our strength to join in God’s reconciling work.
As you reflect on the passage for the day, ask yourself these questions:
How have you encountered God during these 31 days
When you reflect on your experience of God, what are you most grateful for?
Who is God calling you to view as your neighbor, maybe for the first time, and to love as you love God and love yourself?
TODAY’S PRAYER
How joyful it is to be loved by you, Lord Jesus. As we have stopped and paid attention to you, listening for your voice, we have been reminded of your deep and abiding love for us. You have renewed the joy of our salvation and called us deeper into life with you and the Father through the Spirit. Fill us to overflow with your love so that all we encounter will know that we are your people and will experience your peace through us. Amen
Commentary: (Re)joice
Video Reflection
Today’s video reflection is from Mako Nagasawa, Executive Director of The Anastasis Center.