Jesus’ Coterie
Scripture Reading — Luke 8:40-56
When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, and James, and the child’s father and mother.
Yesterday my daily-dictionary app sent me the word coterie. This word comes to us from the French language and refers to an “inner circle of friends.” Luke’s story of healings in this passage introduces Jesus’ coterie—his inner circle of disciples.
News had spread about Jesus’ teaching and healings, so a crowd gathered as he and his disciples returned to Capernaum. Jairus, a local religious leader, came and pleaded with Jesus to heal his dying daughter. Then, on the way, Jesus was delayed by a woman who desperately needing healing from chronic bleeding. And by the time they reached Jairus’s home, the young girl had died. Undaunted, Jesus entered her room anyway, followed by her parents and Peter, John, and James.
Why does Jesus choose only Peter, John, and James to see him raise the little girl from death? Although Jesus’ purpose isn’t entirely clear, we see Peter, John, and James playing important roles later as they bear witness to the identity and power of Jesus, the risen Lord. Indeed, their testimony about Jesus in the New Testament helps to provide the foundations of the good-news message of God’s love and salvation in Christ.
Jesus has chosen each of us too to share about his amazing love and power so that people everywhere can have new life in him.
Lord Jesus, strengthen our faith so that we too can be your witnesses in the world. Amen.
About the author — Kurt Selles
Kurt Selles is the director of ReFrame Ministries and serves as the Executive Editor of Today. He is a graduate of Calvin College and Seminary, and received his PhD from Vanderbilt University. Before coming to ReFrame, he served 19 years in Taiwan and China with CRC World Missions. Kurt later taught missions at Beeson Divinity School, where he also acted as the director of the school’s Global Center. Kurt and his wife, Vicki, reside in Grand Rapids and have three adult children.
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