Luke 8 ends with the great story about Jesus healing a woman on the way to raising Jairus’ daughter. (Luke 8:40 – 56) The first lesson is that Jesus is never in hurry. He seems always to have margin. As our pastor likes to point out, he listens to her story, he doesn’t just rush off:

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!” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” 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. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” (Luke 8.45 – 48, ESV)

The second lesson is about power. “I perceive that power has gone out from me.” That explains the frequent references in the gospels to Jesus going out to the desert places. “He often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.” (Luke 5.16). Prayer for direction, as we’ve pointed out before. However, it must also have been to recharge.

Acts 1.8: “You shall receive power…” When power is used, it goes away. That’s worth a study right there: power is something I receive. That’s like charging a battery. But when the power is used, for example, to drive a tool, the battery must be recharged. 

Jesus told the disciples to heal the sick, raise the dead, and cast out demons. (Matthew 10.8) For me, I want to preach with power so that people are changed, and I definitely feel depleted after I speak! This coming weekend, I will be in rural western Colorado, speaking five times in two days. Lord, fill me with power for this weekend!

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. (John 14.12, ESV)

And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. (Acts 4.33, ESV)

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father…that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us… (Ephesians 3.14 – 20, ESV, emphasis mine)