18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.

20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment. Matthew 9:18-22

A cursory reading of the New Testament might suggest that most of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day were bad or corrupt since most of His interactions with them were largely confrontational.

Obviously this synagogue leader was an exception. Either that or he concerned himself more about his family than what his superiors thought of him. In that respect, it must have taken a lot of courage to approach Jesus, knowing that his actions would be reported to his superiors

As he made his way to the leader’s home, a woman touched Him. She needed a touch from Him. If she could just get close enough, she could get the healing she needed. Jesus commended her for her faith and he immediately gained a follower. The text doesn’t say it but it’s certain to have happened. She would undoubtedly tell friends and relatives about this man named Jesus.

Both of these actions had to drive the religious leaders crazy. Here he was touched by a woman while going to the house of one of their leaders to see a dead child.

But Jesus didn’t concern himself with the leaders or what others thought. He was doing the Father’s will in every situation. Actually He knew that His actions would cause them to complain and argue the Law with Him. Still, no matter. He was taking care of the Father’s business.

How often do we get down to brass tacks, as it were, and do the Father’s business? There is much to distract the average Western Christian, though those distractions are minimized with the ongoing pandemic.

Jesus was focused. There would be a time to debate the naysayers, but real people with real problems needed to be ministered to.

May we experience that kind of determination and focus when ministering to others.