Lent: Journey According To Lukeنموونە

ANOINTING OF THE WHOLE GROUP

DEVOTION
One version of the New International Version of the Bible that I use adds ‘titles’ to sections of the Gospel stories. Mostly they are helpful. The title they give to this section is ‘A dead girl and a sick woman’. This does not encourage faith as we come to this passage of scripture! Power to heal and save is located in the person of Jesus.
Jairus does not let status or honour stop him begging Jesus for the gift of healing. The woman comes to Jesus as a ‘last resort’ and a secret desperate grab at his cloak opens the door to her healing and subsequent salvation as she tells her sad story in full to Jesus. Jesus calls us to overcome the fear that blinds us to what he is doing; now we see the story is about ‘a girl raised from the dead and a woman healed’.

FOR REFLECTION
• What gifts could you offer in the calling to pray, care and share good news with people?
• Where do you see yourself in this group of disciples? Leading from the front or assisting from the back – we all have a place.

PRAYER
Dear Lord, we pray that the body of Christ in Hong Kong will no longer be separated. Instead, may they gather together in front of you to receive your commission, power and authority. With your anointing, may the whole group be able to work together to accomplish your work in Hong Kong, to recover what you want to recover so that your name will be greatly exalted. Amen.