When Desperation Meets Compassion
Luke 8:40–56 | When People Meet Jesus – Week 5
July 6, 2025 – Heirloom Church
Point 1: Desperation
Us to Jesus
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. —Luke 8:40–44
Point 2: Faith
Jesus in His Tracks
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.” —Luke 8:45–48
19 “When a woman has a discharge, and the discharge in her body is blood, she shall be in her menstrual impurity for seven days, and whoever touches her shall be unclean until the evening. 20 And everything on which she lies during her menstrual impurity shall be unclean. Everything also on which she sits shall be unclean. 21 —Leviticus 15:19–21
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. —Hebrews 11:6
13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, —Colossians 1:13
11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. —Hebrews 11:1
Point 3: Fear Can’t
What Faith Has Started
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 her to eat. 56 And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened. —Luke 8:49–56
25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” —John 11:25–26
Not just to make bad people better, but to make dead people alive.
Closing Challenge
What feels dead in your life?
What’s your twelve years?
Where do you need Jesus to speak life?
“God is attracted to weakness. He can’t resist those who humbly and honestly admit how desperately they need Him.” —Jim Cymbala
Followers of Jesus: Has routine dulled your desperation?
Seek Him. Trust Him. Bring your raw, real faith — and let Jesus meet you in it.
Because when desperation meets compassion…life is never the same.
Let desperation drive you to Jesus.
Desperation isn’t the end of your story. It might be the moment God begins to turn the page.