“…there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and when he saw Him (Jesus), he fell at His feet.” Mark 5:22
Dear Ones:
There is one principle in the Bible that is fundamental to every intervention of God in our lives, and in those around us: “I am the Lord: that is My name: and My glory will I not give to another, neither My praise to carved images.” (Isaiah 42:8) Paul reiterates this principle in his letter to the Corinthians: “But of God are ye in Christ Jesus…as it is written, ‘He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.'” (1 Cor. 1:30,31) This is why God has chosen the foolish things of the world, the weak things, the lowly things and those that are despised, for “No flesh shall glory in His presence.” (v.27,28,29) What does this truth have to do with us, especially in the case of those to whom God would say: “Thy faith hath made the whole (well); go in peace?” (Lk. 8:48)
Jairus was a “ruler” of a synagogue. He had only one child, a twelve-year-old daughter, whom he loved greatly. She was at the point of death. Jairus had heard of Jesus, perhaps had heard Him speak. He realized that he had but one recourse if he was to save his daughter…believe in the Lord Jesus alone, fall at his feet, and implore Him (appealing to His mercy), to come and heal her. Note God’s ways in dealing with Jairus. He would bring him to the place where there was NO OTHER “god,” or consideration of salvation, but in Christ. He would also bring him to realize that God is sovereign, and that AS God, He deals with us in His mercy, never by virtue of any merit that we might “think” we have. Jesus would respond to the appeal and plea of Jairus, take the little girl by the hand, and speak to her to rise. She would be healed, and all the glory is God’s.
While Jesus was going to the house of Jairus, unrecognized by the disciples and the crowd that thronged Him, there was a woman who made her way to Jesus. She too had been brought to the very end of ALL her resources with regard to a physical condition which was killing her, and by which she would certainly die unless healed. She too had heard OF Jesus, and perhaps had heard Him speak. Finding herself to be at the very end of hope itself, she will stake all her hope and trust in Jesus, believing that if she just touches the hem of his garment, she will be healed. This she does, and Jesus knows it. Though surrounded by the crowd, with many touching Him, there is only one it seems that touches Him BY FAITH. God had so worked in her heart and mind, that she became persuaded of two things: not only was there no other hope but the Lord Jesus, and that the Lord would most certainly heal her. To such faith, the Lord would address her by saying: “Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith made thee whole; go in peace.” (Luke 8:48)
Dear Father, help us to see, and learn to appeal wholly to Your mercy, as we seek for Your name to be hallowed, your kingdom to come, and your will to be done on this earth, and in our hearts. And strengthen our hearts to stake all upon Your Son, for the fullness of Your blessing, so that many will come to trust and glorify You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad