Luke 8:40-48
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Take a moment to settle into your surroundings and then begin to recognize your breath. As you breathe in, call on the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Read Luke 8:40-48 paying special attention to the opening sentence.
Jesus will never force his way into someone’s daily life. If we are closed off and resistant to knowing him for who he really is (as were the people of the Genaseres), he won’t coerce or manipulate us into drawing closer. He will leave the door open and continue to invite us in, but he will also allow us to form our own powerless version of him if that is what we truly desire.
But when we are expectant and eager to welcome Jesus, we will enjoy an ever-deepening relationship with him. He will continually reveal himself to us, and over time, he will also help us see who we really are and who we were meant to be. We will become Jesus-people who are full of his presence and overflowing with his love - and this will have a multiplying Kingdom effect on the world and the people around us. This is the meaning of the parable of the seeds and the soils (Luke 8:1-15).
Take a moment to become still and centered in the presence of Jesus. Imagine touching the edge of his clothing as you bring your deepest, truest desire to him. Stay with this image for a while noticing what Jesus says and does.
Read Luke 8:40-48 again.
The woman in this story is not only waiting for Jesus; she is driven to be close to him, and her desperation eclipses any fear of what might happen if she is able to touch him. She knows that she is unclean, and she knows that physical contact with Jesus and the people in the crowd may result in violence toward her. But she also knows that everything she needs is embodied in Jesus. She must get near enough to touch him.
Return to the image of Jesus standing in front of you. Speak to him pouring out the desires of your heart to him and confessing anything that comes to mind.
Now imagine Jesus speaking these words to you:
“Daughter/Son, your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
As you end this time of meditation, reflect on anything Jesus might want you to learn or do.
How do you plan to respond to Jesus today?
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
