Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

⁴²  for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying.  But as He went, the crowds were pressing against Him.  Luke 8:40-42

(“The Interruption” – Luke 8:43-48)

⁴⁹  While He was still speaking, someone came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died;  do not trouble the Teacher anymore.”

⁵⁰  But when Jesus heard this, He answered him, “Do not be afraid any longer; only believe, and she will be made well.”  Luke 8:49-50. 

As you know from yesterday’s devotion, Jesus was interrupted from proceeding to handle the daughter of Jairus by the woman (“who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone”) who approached Jesus, touched Him, and received healing from Jesus.  The Scripture recognizes this interruption to “cut over” to cover that miracle.

We too are often faced with interruptions in our busy and important schedules.  Today is Monday, and many of you will wonder how you will get everything done that you absolutely “must” get done today.  And then, you will be interrupted, and you will face a decision as to whether you will dismiss the person with the need who interrupts you or whether you will handle it.

Let me make it very clear that I am not advising by this devotion that you handle every interruption. 

But, I am advising that you meditate on this Scripture and be sensitive and consider that it may be God’s will for you to handle the interruption (even though it may adversely affect your main scheduled agenda – “the daughter may die”).  I am advising that you pray at the beginning of the day that God will give you “the will” to do His Will and that God will work within you for His good pleasure”.  Philippians 2:13.

The priest, the Levite, and the Samaritan were all interrupted by the man “half dead” on the road.  We can assume that they all had busy and important schedules.  But, throughout history, only the Samaritan who helped that man is praised, whereas the priest and Levite are only remembered for their failure to stop.  Luke 10:30-37.

Jesus was also interrupted by the children.  “Then some children were brought to Him so that He might lay His hands on them and pray;  and the disciples rebuked them.  But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me;  for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”   After laying His hands on them, He departed from there.”  Matthew 19:13-15.

How are we going to handle the interruptions that will certainly come our way even today?

Let us conclude and pray together with this prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father:

We are Your servants.  We want to do Your will, but we often do not know exactly what You want us to do.

Please use this Scripture and help us to meditate on the teaching that we must be more sensitive to interruptions and the possibility that You may want us to leave what we think is more important (even if it adversely affects our main agenda) to handle the interruption. 

Please give us wisdom and the will to do Your Will, whether it be to handle the interruption or whether it be to not handle the interruption.  Please work within us for Your good pleasure.  In Jesus’ name, we pray.  Amen.