Daily Bible Reading 18th July 2026 // Luke 8:40-56
40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41 And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus' feet, he implored him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying.
As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. 43 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. 44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. 45 And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. 48 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
49 While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler's house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” 50 But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” 51 And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. 52 And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” 53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” 55 And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given to her to eat. 56 And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.
The fact that the two stories - Jairus' daughter and the woman with the issue of blood - are inextricably intertwined in the record is surely a clear indication that there are lessons to be learned in this direction. For one thing, it would seem that a contrast is being indicated in the fact that Jairus' daughter was twelve years old, and the woman had suffered twelve years from her sickness. It is very true that one half of the world does not know how the other half lives! Twelve years of joy turning to sorrow; and twelve years of sorrow about to turn to joy - the two extremes, yet it is possible to see how two extremes merge and unite in their common agony of need. There is only one level when it comes down to the basics of life. And, just as, in the spiritual realm, there is no difference, because all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:22, 23) so also there is no difference, for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. And whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:12, 13)!