October 5, 2017 

In Mark Chapter 5, a synagogue leader named Jairus came to Jesus and asked for healing for his daughter who was about to die.  A synagogue leader enjoyed high social status in Jewish society.  While Jesus was on the way to his house, a woman afflicted with bleeding for 12 years interrupted them and sought healing of her own.  She was among the lowest in society, being a woman, being poor (she had spent all she had trying to be healed), and she was unclean since she was bleeding.  Unlike Jairus, her name is not given.  She touched Jesus’ robe and was immediately healed.  Then Jesus went and healed the synagogue official’s daughter.

This week we saw the deadliest shooting in US History when Stephen Paddock inexplicably killed almost 60 people and wounded over 500 others in Las Vegas.  These were regular people just like you and me, enjoying a concert.  On the same night, rock star Tom Petty died suddenly of a massive heart attack.  From the rich and famous to the regular Joe, none of us is promised another day.  This is why it is so urgent that we spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

From the rich to the poor, from the famous to the unknown, from the clean to the unclean, we all need Jesus’ grace.  The synagogue leader and the poor woman went to Jesus and asked for grace because they had heard of the things that He had done. Whether Tom Petty, or the victims of the Las Vegas shooting had asked for Jesus’ grace, I don’t know, but I do know that we need to tell the world what Jesus has done so that others can claim His grace too.  Who knows whether our family, friends, neighbors or co-workers have another day?