Thoughts From Bob

   Advice  Jesus  gave to  Jairus when  things looked  hopeless

 This story   has much  human interest and  it has a spectacular ending,

Jairus was a  ruler of the  Synagogue so we know he had wealth and  power  and  probably was a  very  successful.  We are told he had a  gate house  so  probably had a  mansion in the  drive  beyond the  gatehouse. RGSJr.

Mark chapter 5

²¹Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. ²²And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet ²³and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.” ²⁴So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.

Even  though  the story  begins with Jairus who had an urgent message Jesus did not get in a  hurry.  He is interrupted  by a poor woman  who  had  troubles for  twelve years and  she had spent all her  money on  doctors and  was still worse than she had  ever been. RGSJr.

²⁵Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, ²⁶and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. ²⁷When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. ²⁸For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”

²⁹Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. ³⁰And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?”

³¹But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?'”

³²And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. ³³But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. ³⁴And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”

Think for a  minute  about  what is in the mind of  Jairus.  He surely  wanted  Jesus  to  hurry  up  and go with him..  I am sure  he thought his  problem should have  taken  priority over this  poor old  lady who could not  pay anyway.  Maybe the  author  wanted to  show that  Jesus   is no  respecter of  person’s wealth and  power or  standing in the  community. RGSJr.

³⁵While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”

I know the  emotion of  despair and  grief and  frustration hit with  terrible power on   Mr.  Jairus.   He watched a  great  miracle  and now   his  hope  has  been  dashed to smithereens.  He  probably  felt like he had  been dealt a  terrible  blow  in the  solar plexus. 

BUT  listen to the  advice   Jesus  gives  in  verse 36. RGSJr.

³⁶As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” ³⁷And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. ³⁸Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. ³⁹When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.”

⁴⁰And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. ⁴¹Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” ⁴²Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. ⁴³But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.

This is  undoubtedly  one of the  greatest  bits  of  advice  Jesus  ever gave and  we   can  and should know   He speaks that  to  us as  well when  we  face   problems.  Let me say it again. RGSJr.

 “Do not be afraid; only believe.” 

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