Jairus asked Jesus to come to his home and heal his precious daughter. While on their way, they were met with an unexpected delay. A woman who’d been sick for 12 years with an “issue of blood” wound her way through the crowded streets, touched Jesus, and was instantly healed. Jesus took the time to ask the crowd, “Who touched Me?” She reluctantly responded by sharing her story about how she was healed. Jesus told her, “Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.”
While Jesus was encouraging her, someone from Jairus’ home rushed over to his side and said, “Your daughter is dead. So don’t bother Jesus.” Jesus heard the comments but looked at Jairus and said the most surprising words: Fear not, believe only, and she shall be made whole.
Jairus had a massive decision to make. He could fall into the abyss of painful facts drenched in despair while accepting“don’t bother Jesus,” or embrace the incredible words the Lord just spoke.
They pressed on. When Jairus and company finally walked through the door, they were met with weeping and wailing by those already present. Despite the grief-charged environment, Jesus said, “Weep not, she is not dead, but sleepeth.” The mourners ridiculed Jesus for the statement – it was clear to them, it was over.
Jesus cleared the room of everyone except for Jairus, his wife, and His disciples Peter, James, and John. And then, took the girl by the hand and said, “Maid, arise.” She got up, and Jesus said to give her something to eat.
Despite the environment – all of the sights, sounds, behaviors, comments – none of that hindered Jesus. But what blesses my heart tonight is that Jairus had to ignore everything he heard, saw, felt – to embrace what Jesus said. The environment didn’t go away – it was in his face. He had to believe what Jesus said despite what the environment displayed – the mourners, the weeping and wailing, the vocal doubters, the visuals, etc.
Sometimes we’re praying for a more appealing environment to believe God. Yes, it’s certainly easier to believe when it’sin a positive environment. But when the environment doesn’t match what you’ve been told, that is challenging. Yet, the Lord is not handicapped by difficult circumstances. His power is limitless! I am thankful for this passage as it reminds us that He will walk and talk with us through the noisy environments designed to silence our faith.
40 And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.41 And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus’ feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:42 For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.45 And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?46 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.49 While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.51 And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.52 And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.53 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.54 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.55 And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.56 And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done. Luke 8:40-56 (KJV)
In the Master’s Service,
Author/Pastor Michele D Robertson
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:28-29 (KJV)