DAILY READING
REFLECTION
How Will You Respond?
by Julie Ogg
In this account of Jesus and Jairus, I am struck by how different people respond to Jesus, and how I have responded similarly in my life. To read the full account, skip back to Mark 5:21-24 and then resume with 35-43.
"Jairus, 'one of the synagogue leaders,' comes forward, falling at Jesus’ feet, and explains that his daughter is dying and asks Jesus to come and heal her." (v. 23)
Typically, Jesus is not well received by the religious leaders of His day. In fact, they are some of his harshest critics. Jairus, however, was not just a synagogue leader, but also a father. He was seeking Jesus because he recognized his need. When we are in need and feeling helpless, our need often draws us to Jesus. This could be one reason that people who live in relatively comfortable surroundings can ignore their need for a Savior. Our need, whether emotional, physical, relational, material, or otherwise, reminds us we need Jesus. Can you remember a difficult time in your life that caused you to seek God with particular urgency? If so, you can relate to Jairus.
Jesus agrees to go with Jairus, but in the meantime, some people come from his house and say, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother the teacher anymore?” (v. 35) These people felt Jairus was “bothering” Jesus. Sometimes we too might feel like we are bothering God with our prayers, but this is not what Jesus models for us. He is never impatient with those who are genuinely seeking him. Paul reminds us in Hebrews 4:16, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Our Savior extends an open invitation to us, his children. Don’t hesitate to go to Jesus with anything.
When Jesus arrives at the home of Jairus, the people were “crying and wailing loudly." Jesus went in and said to them, “The child is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. (v. 39-40) Yes, they laughed at Jesus! These people could grasp only one reality—the child is dead. After death, to them there was no other possibility. They didn’t realize that Jesus is a fountain of possibility! Have you ever had trouble praying about a situation because you couldn’t even imagine how God could intervene? Then you can understand these people’s response. We limit the infinite God with our finite perspective. Ephesians 3:20 reminds us that “(He) is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…”
Jesus goes into the room, takes her by the hand, and tells her to get up. “Immediately the girl stood up…” (v. 41) I want to respond to Jesus immediately, not after weighing the pros and cons, and not after having all my questions answered. I want to be so close to Jesus that my natural inclination is to follow where he leads. How about you? How will you respond?
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for assuring us we can come to you with anything. Help me respond to your invitation immediately believing you can do more than I could ever imagine. Amen.
