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Mark 5:21-24, 35-43
There's a Reason for Crises

Sometimes we need to become aware, in more than just a theoretical way, that the trials we experience aren't necessarily bad. In fact, sometimes they're our greatest blessings! How we respond to such crises can deeply affect the most important relationship we have - our relationship to Jesus Christ.

That's the way it was for the family here in Mark's Gospel. Their beloved twelve-year-old daughter, not yet fully grown, at an age that is full of fun and full of life and promise, lay dying in the house. Her father was a prominent man, a ruler of the local synagogue, probably a well-respected elder in the community. Very possibly, he had been the one to give Jesus permission to speak to the congregation when the master had last been in the vicinity of Capernaum. In most cases, men of his position and stature were very much "in" with the Rabbis, the priests, the Levites, and possibly with either the Pharisees or Sadducees. Under ordinary circumstances, he would likely have been more than a little antagonistic toward Jesus.

But now his daughter was about to be taken from him by death. He could do nothing. He was at his wit's end. The Rabbi Jesus, he knew, had healed many, and Jairus was desparate. He had waited until the last minute to approach Jesus, but now he had to try any way he could to save his daughter.

So he came and prostrated himself before Jesus. This respected ruler of the synagogue begged Jesus for mercy, and it's important for us to notice that even though Jesus knew him in the perfect way He knows us all, yet still he didn't ask him about any former antagonism. He didn't say, "Why do you come to Me? What will your friends think?"

Instead, what Jesus actually did is recorded in the fewest possible words: "He departed with him . . ." He could have said, as He did in another instance, "Go! Your daughter lives!" He could have healed her at any distance He wished. But He didnt. Always in instant communication with His Father, He always knew what was the very best thing to do. He knew He should go with Jairus.

And it wasn't as easy as it sounds! There were throngs of people around Jesus. They were so intent upon an audience with Him that they were physically pressing in upon Him, and it was difficult for Him or for anyone near Him to move in any direction. In fact it must have been hard for Jairus to get near Him and to fall prostrate before Him. And now it was no easy matter for Jesus, Jairus, and the disciples all to make their way through that throng.

To fully understand Jesus' response to Jairus, we need to realize what He had been doing in the midst of that press of people. He was the center of their attention. He had been teaching, healing, and ministering to many, many individuals – for hours. And His love and compassion were such that He didn't merely "touch and go" with each one who came to Him. No! This is the Savior Who CARES, so He ministered to each one personally, according to individual needs, both obvious and hidden.

So that's what He had been doing when Jairus arrived. To go with Jairus Jesus would have to break off from His intense ministry and leave many waiting. The disciples He left behind would have to say to many, "Sorry, the Master can't see you just now." Besides, the focus of attention for each person in this vast throng was his or her own needs, so not a one of them would want to let Jesus leave without trying to get His attention. Yet though He cared - very much - for each one, yet He made the decision to leave them and go with Jairus.

He knew He had to leave, because He could see the future. He knew that the girl was going to die before they could get to the house. He knew that He would be delayed by the woman with the issue of blood. He knew what the people from Jairus' house were going to say, so He knew the kind of response He would meet when they finally arrived.

To minister effectively to Jairus, then, Jesus knew He had to be with him in each of these situations. He knew Jairus would need Him to say, "Don't be afraid! Only believe!" And He knew Mr. and Mrs. Jairus would need Him to throw out the professional mourners so their home could be restored to peace and quiet, a peace and quiet in which He'd be able also to minister to the girl once she was raised. Jesus was concerned for much more than mere healing, wonderful as that would be. He was concerned for the hearts and lives of father, mother, and daughter. He'd seen in Jairus the beginnings of real faith, and He knew that that faith needed nurturing, personal care, and demonstrated love.

Our Lord hasn't changed since that day. His compassion, His wisdom, and His power are still the same. When you come to Him with a request, He hears you, but He also knew ahead of time that you would come. In fact, He even knew your request before you came, and He knew all of your need and every past, present, and future circumstance surrounding your request.

Because He knows you so well, He always takes special occasion by your prayer to deal not just with your specific request, but with all your unexpressed (and possibly unknown) needs as well! If you're going to need His encouragement along the way, and if you're going to need some distractions removed from your life before He does the thing you've asked, then He'll take care of that. Or He may even take special occasion by your asking to teach you that you don't need the thing for which you've asked! He may give you something better, something that fulfills your real needs much more adequately than you could have guessed. So He deals in a very personal, a very loving, and a very thorough way with each of us when we pray, just as He did with Jairus.

And that, dear ones, is why it's so important to pray. In fact, Our Lord often brings into our lives events, situations, needs, joys, etc. just so that we will pray. If we do, He enters our lives in a very full and wonderful way, but If we don't, then our lives must remain spiritually barren.
So back to our original subject.  What about crises? Are they unwanted threats to our peace and security? Is such pain to be avoided at all costs? What we see here is that they are actually some of the best opportunities of our lives! If we respond to them with feverish attempts at solution, or with complaints and bitterness, we miss their blessed purpose. Oh may we instead learn to communicate with our gracious King FIRST in response to each and every event of our lives!

Jesus heard Jairus' prayer. Jesus went with him and cared for Him on the way. Jesus entered his house and brought peace, resurrection, and healing. Jesus entered into the life of the little girl, too, in a way she would never forget. Jesus would become all important to these people. He loved them. And He loves you exactly the same way!

Wonderful, thankyou...........