Read Luke 8:22-56
“Where is your faith?” “ Daughter, your faith has made you well.” “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” To the disciples following the storm, to the woman healed from her bleeding, and to a father hoping his daughter would be raised to life, Jesus speaks on the subject of faith. We see Jesus connect faith with his miracles and our minds begin to ask things like, “Are miracles not happening in my life because of weak faith? Could this have been prevented if I had just believed more?”
To understand what Jesus is doing, we need to read these events in light of what He teaches earlier in the chapter through the parable of the Sower. In this parable, Jesus uses the image of a man sowing seed to describe the Word of God and the endurance of faith. In some cases, the seed is snatched away; in others, it grows but withers; in others still, it is choked by thorns. But in some cases, the Word of God takes root, grows, endures, and produces a harvest. The gospel of Jesus Christ—life and salvation—is sown for all, but the devil, the cares of this world, and the lure of riches and pleasures work against God’s Word in our lives.
For that reason, Jesus implores us to cling in faith to the Word and promise of God. These miracle accounts tell us of mighty acts of salvation foreshadowing the greatest act of all. Christ’s journey to the cross, His death and resurrection bring assurance of his promise for our own eternal saving, healing, and resurrection. Jesus’ words ring loudly in our ears, “Do not fear, believe.”
Prayer: Lord, I believe, help my unbelief. Amen.