Image from agnusday.org
After Jesus crossed over by boat, a large crowd met him at the seaside. One of the meeting-place leaders named Jairus came. When he saw Jesus, he fell to his knees, beside himself as he begged, "My dear daughter is at death's door. Come and lay hands on her so she will get well and live." Jesus went with him, the whole crowd tagging along, pushing and jostling him. A woman who had suffered a condition of hemorrhaging for twelve years - a long succession of physicians had treated her, and treated her badly, taking all her money and leaving her worse off than before - had heard about Jesus. She slipped in from behind and touched his robe. She was thinking to herself, "If I can put a finger on his robe, I can get well." The moment she did it, the flow of blood dried up. She could feel the change and knew her plague was over and done with. At the same moment, Jesus felt energy discharging from him. He turned around to the crowd and asked, "Who touched my robe?" His disciples said, "What are you talking about? With this crowd pushing and jostling you, you're asking, 'Who touched me?' Dozens have touched you!" But he went on asking, looking around to see who had done it. The woman, knowing what had happened, knowing she was the one, stepped up in fear and trembling, knelt before him, and gave him the whole story. Jesus said to her, "Daughter, you took a risk of faith, and now you're healed and whole. Live well, live blessed! Be healed of your plague." While he was still talking, some people came from the leader's house and told him, "Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher any more?" Jesus overheard what they were talking about and said to the leader, "Don't listen to them; just trust me." He permitted no one to go in with him except Peter, James, and John. They entered the leader's house and pushed their way through the gossips looking for a story and neighbors bringing in casseroles. Jesus was abrupt: "Why all this busybody grief and gossip? This child isn't dead; she's sleeping." Provoked to sarcasm, they told him he didn't know what he was talking about. He clasped the girl's hand and said, "Talitha koum," which means, "Little girl, get up." At that, she was up and walking around! This girl was twelve years of age. They, of course, were all beside themselves with joy. He gave them strict orders that no one was to know what had taken place in that room. Then he said, "Give her something to eat." (Mark 5:21-43)
Good day dear Friend! Here's trusting you had a fairly good weekend and are ready for what this week holds. Never forget, dear one, whatever the week holds, God holds you!
This is a wonderful passage that I recommend you read from your favorite Bible. I chose the Message Version because of some of the words it uses, and the title comes from this version. This is a story of the ability Jesus had to multi-task; for we find a miracle inside of a miracle or as our friends the sheep in today's graphic said, "Two miracles in one day?" Yes, two. Such is the grace and power of Jesus Christ.
The Lord had just landed on the shore when a man named Jairus came to plead with Jesus for the life of his little daughter. Those of you who have daughters, or granddaughters, or nieces, or family friend's daughters, know how delicate it is to see any of them sick. The first fever our firstborn had had us calling the doctor every five minutes in near-panic. We were ready to rush her to the hospital if need be! Imagine Jairus' heart in seeing his child at the point of death. Please keep in mind that Jairus was a leader of a synagogue, and one who could have easily been Jesus' nemeses, for it was the religious people of the day that disliked Jesus' ministry; but that was put aside when Jairus said, like most parents: I will do whatever it takes to make my little girl well! And, perhaps, swallowing his pride, he goes to Jesus. He affirms his faith in the Lord when he says, Come and lay hands on her so she will get well and live." That was his plead, and that was his prayer. So, Jesus agrees and tries to make his way through the crowds that gathered whenever they heard Jesus was near. As our Lord makes His way to Jairus' home, there was a woman who sought Jesus' healing touch as well. For 12 years she had suffered a condition of hemorrhaging. One can only imagine the discomfort, not to mention the weakness and general yucky-ness of losing so much blood during each day; and then to know this poor lady suffered this for twelve years. That's 146 months, 4,380 days of this misery. She also was willing, and had, done everything to get healed. Scripture tells us she spent all her money on doctors; so she not only suffered a flow of blood, but a flow of money, and only to get worse physically. Her faith was now in Jesus. "If only I can touch the hem of His garment, I will be healed." She makes her way to Jesus, touches Him, and immediately is healed. End of story, right? Nope. Jesus knows that some of His power has left Him and so He asks, "Who touched my robe?" The disciples think it funny for Him to ask such a question as the crowds were massive and there would be no way to know who had done it. But He kept asking, and she, to her credit, goes and with "fear and trembling" kneels before Jesus and confesses. Jesus responds, "Daughter, you took a risk of faith, and now you're healed and whole. Live well, lived blessed! Be healed of your plague." She receives her healing and a blessing from the Son of God.
Then the news comes that Jairus' daughter has died. The opinion of those near Jesus was that they should no longer bother Jesus. Death is final after all. Leave Jesus alone. Jairus, get home and start that awful task of planning a funeral. Jesus ignores all of this and still continues on His way to the home where the body of the little girl lay. Taking the intimate three in with Him; Peter, James, and John, Jesus pushes His way into the house. The verse I love says, "They entered the leader's house and pushed their way through the gossips looking for a story and neighbors bringing in casseroles." Ouch.
Jesus then asks, "Why all this busybody grief and gossip? The child isn't dead; she's sleeping." Folks laughed and provoked the Lord. He takes the girl's hand and says, "Talitha Koum," which means, "Little girl, get up." And just like that, she awakes and starts walking around. Everyone was now besides themselves with joy. Jesus leaves them with the plea no one was to know what had taken place in that room, and for them to feed the little girl.
Dear reader, if you have fear of approaching the Lord, you're missing out on a lot! Learn from these folks we just read about. Jairus did not let his position and pride get in the way of seeking the help of Jesus. The woman who had suffered for 12 years did not let the size of the crowd dampen her faith and hope that in Jesus she would find healing. And whatever excuse you may have been using to not seek the Lord should be put to bed. Take courage and seek help! The Lord knows what you are facing and the size of your needs; He stands ready to help and to bless. All we have to do is approach Him with faith and see what He will do for us.
PRAYER: Loving God, for the power of healing as found in this passage, we thank You. We pray that we might have the courage of a Jairus and of that brave woman, to seek You and share with You that which troubles us. Let us find in You that which we need. But above all, we pray that Thy will be done. In Christ Jesus we pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! Approach the Lord today. And tell someone about what Christ can do.
Eradio Valverde
