If you were to ask each individual you passed on the street if they had a need, they most likely would answer yes. Many are familiar with prayer requests that seem to always be placed on a prayer request sheet, spoken from an individual or sent out through an email, a phone call or even a text message. Some needs are sent before God to be answered immediately, while others seem to take time. Some watch as other’s needs seem to be answered before their needs and wonder if God has forgotten them. If maybe God feels as though other needs are more important than their own. It is easy for them to feel neglected, as though God did not care enough for their request, no matter how serious the need may be.
Jairus, known as a ruler of the synagogue in the New Testament, pushed through the crowd making his way towards Jesus. He had heard of this man, this man who healed the sick, cast out devils, made the lame walk, the dumb talk and the blind to see. He knew others of his faith and belief and fellow rulers despised Jesus, that they ridiculed the teachings and healings that came forth from his lips and hand. Jairus himself did not altogether understand who this man was or how he could cause such things to happen. But one thing he did know, his daughter lay sick and dying and this man could heal her. The throng of people was so thick and many were not eager to let him pass in their own desire to be closer to Jesus, to hear what he had to say, see what he was about to do. But finally, Jairus was able to push forth and he fell at the feet of the Ultimate Healer, Jesus. His body shook with sobs and his heart began to break as the realization of why he was here, and why he had come to this man was brought forth. “My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live,” he asked the words willing and praying that Jesus would come straight away to his daughter’s bedside. He looked up to see Jesus nod his head, bid him to stand and then began to follow him.
Jairus felt they could not move fast enough, and never did the distance seem further than it seemed now. His mind was still by his daughter’s side knowing that at any moment she could take her last breath and be no more. If only the crowd would slim and not so many people would hinder Jesus from walking faster, if only he had an animal to ride, some way to transport them all to his daughter quickly. His hope was slowly fading but he still clung to it as each step brought them closer and closer to his house. But just when Jairus thought they might be there in time, Jesus stopped. He looked about him, “Who touched my clothes?” What now? Jairus thought, surely with this crowd of people Jesus would not stop for one person who touched him when they all stood so close together? The disciples of Jesus echoed this thought and posed the question to Jesus. He did not answer but looked around him to find a woman trembling at his feet. Jairus thought he recognized her but did not take the time to look for his eyes turned again to Jesus hoping he would push the woman away so that he could continue on. But the woman began
to tell all of her story to Jesus, an issue of blood, twelve years, many doctors. Jesus’ hem, healing. Jairus could not catch all the words; he realized that selfishly he was not sure he sympathized. He worked to push down the bitterness but the cries of his daughter seemed to ring louder and louder in his ears. His thoughts were interrupted by the words of Jesus, “Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.” Yes, he thought, now they could continue on! But he turned only to see a friend, “thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?” His daughter was gone? He had worked so hard to get to Jesus in time but now he was too late, his precious daughter was dead. He felt a hand on his sleeve and through his tears he saw it was Jesus and he heard him say “Be not afraid, only believe.” Believe? Believe in what? His daughter was gone! But he did as he was bid and led the multitude on towards his daughter’s lifeless body.
They finally arrived and were greeted by the sounds of weeping. Jairus’ eyes met the eyes of his wife and he knew his eyes mirrored the pain and anguish hers held. The soft words of Jesus floated through the crowd of mourners. “Why make ye this ado? The damsel is not dead but sleepeth.” But he was only answered with laughter. The damsel was gone and the preparations for burial were being put into place. Jesus motioned for Jairus, his wife and the few disciples that had continued on with him, to follow him. He went to the girl’s bed and leaned over her, taking her by the hand he softly said “Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.” Jairus heard his wife gasp and he too looked on in astonishment as his daughter, who once was no more began to breathe, her eyes opened and she began to stand and then walk! Jairus’ heart overflowed with praise, he had thought he was too late, that his daughter would forever be gone from him and yet here she was as if she had never been sick! Jairus’ lips began to sing praise towards God as he knew that this man, Jesus had done the impossible and brought the dead to life!
“The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me.” King David wrote this verse in one of his many songs to Lord and how true it has held in the Old Testament, the New and today. Though Jairus’ thoughts were penned by me, one does wonder what thoughts might have run through his head as his mission to save his daughter’s life was interrupted by someone else’s need. Knowing that his daughter could die at any moment one could easily think he felt bitter, maybe even angry towards the woman. Maybe selfishly and impatiently he waited for Jesus to finish with her so he could continue on. Or maybe he did not feel so but whatever the case, Jairus’ attempt to have Jesus heal his daughter was thwarted and Jesus did not do what he was asked to do. Sometimes it feels as though our prayers and requests are thwarted or forgotten. As though Jesus has neglected them, but if we would do just as Jesus has command Jairus, be not afraid, only believe, how astonished would we be? For though Jesus did not heal the damsel, what he did went beyond what Jairus had asked or thought, for Jairus watched as his daughter, who was dead, was brought back to life. The Lord most certainly had perfected that which concerned him, maybe not as soon as Jairus had asked or hoped, but he had done so. Our needs may not be answered the way we want, when we want or how we want. But when we bring forth our petitions to the Lord, He does hear our cry and will answer them. As long as these needs are met according to His will, it cannot go wrong but will only bring more glory and honor to him that it is due Him. We will be left in astonishment as we watch the power of God go above and beyond all that we thought was possible or could have asked.
“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen”
Ephesians 3:20-21
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