Faith - Jairus

    In Mark 5:21-43, Jairus, a synagogue ruler, went to Jesus for help. His daughter was sick and hearing that Jesus was in town, he went to Him and begged Him to come to his home and lay hands on her so that she would be well. On their way to his home, Jesus stopped to address a woman with an issue of blood who had been bleeding for twelve years. She had touched the edge of his clothes and been instantly healed. By the time Jesus was finished, servants from Jairus’ home came and told him not to bother Jesus anymore because his daughter had died. Jesus in turn told Jairus to simply believe. At Jairus’ home, the mourners there mocked Jesus because He had declared that the girl was not dead but sleeping. Jesus then put everyone out, except for her parents and three of His disciples. He then held the little girl by her hand and commanded her to get up. When she did, he instructed her parents to give her something to eat. 
    A few things come to my mind. One, Jairus’ faith. Jairus had obviously heard about Jesus and the miracles He had performed. When he realised that Jesus was in town, he instantly went to Him expecting that He could heal his daughter. The good thing is that Jairus knew exactly who to go to when he needed help. Many times, we too, know exactly who to go to when we need help. We may turn to others for help or support, but at the end of the day, as God’s children, we know to run to God when we are facing dire situations. It’s about having faith in a God that we know is able to do impossible things. 
    Two, on their way to Jairus’ home, a distraction came up. Many people were pressing against Jesus as He passed by, eager, I am sure, to connect with Him and to receive healing or deliverance. Yet, for some reason, Jesus chose to stop to address that one woman with the issue of blood. He could have left it alone but He chose to stop, possibly preventing Him from reaching Jairus’ daughter on time.
    God does not always work with our timing. I am sure Jairus was impatient and anxious. After all, he knew how seriously ill his daughter was. But, guess what? Jesus knew it too…and He knew that everything was going to be alright. He knew that He was going to get to Jairus’ daughter in time, even if it was not Jairus’ time. It’s the same with us. We would like at times if God would move a little faster. After all, our situation seems serious enough to warrant a speedier response from God. But God’s timing is always perfect. 
    Three, Jairus had to truly trust Jesus. When his daughter was ill, faith was easy to feel. But, when she died, his faith must have vanished. Maybe that’s why Jesus told him to not be afraid but to simply believe. Jesus had to let him know that his faith did not stop at death. It did not stop when the situation had become totally impossible. I believe that at this point, Jairus had to move beyond faith to trust. He had to trust Jesus to still come through for his daughter even when others laughed in disbelief. He had to choose to believe even though it did not make sense. I think that’s more than belief. That’s trust. Trust that God would still come through. 
    Similarly for us, there will be times when faith is easy. Then there will be times when faith is downright impossible. I think that’s when we have to choose to trust the God that we know, the God who knows best and will not fail us. It’s about relationship at this point. It goes far beyond trusting in “a God” and choosing to believe in “your God” who has a  personal and intimate interest in you! And if He says He will never fail you, then that speaks of someone who deeply loves you and will never do anything to hurt you or destroy you. He loves you enough to do what’s best…His way. Be encouraged.
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so today. God loves you so completely. He will never do anything to hurt or stress you out. You just have to trust His timing, trust His way of doing things and know that your best interest will always be His greatest desire.

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