Journey Through The Bible
     Old Testament Reading: Job 1-3
     New Testament Reading: Mark 5

One of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet and begged him earnestly, “My little daughter is dying. Come and lay your hands on her so that she can get well and live.” So Jesus went with him, and a large crowd was following and pressing against him. Now a woman suffering from bleeding for twelve years had endured much under many doctors. She had spent everything she had and was not helped at all. On the contrary, she became worse (Mark 5:22-26).

Chased out of town for healing a demon-possessed man, Jesus sets sail across the deep blue Sea of Galilee. Jesus no more than steps out of the boat on the western shore and a large crowd gathers around Him. Out of this crowd comes two of the most dissimilar people seeking a miracle for the Lord – a man named Jairus, and an unnamed woman suffering from bleeding.

One was a man – the other was a woman.
One was important – the other was despised.
One was wealthy – the other was bankrupt.
One was respected – the other was rejected.
One was honored – the other was shamed.
One led worship – the other was unclean.
One was a synagogue leader – the other was not allowed in the synagogue because of her condition.

But both had a need, one with a 12-year-old daughter dying, the other suffering from a 12-year disease. And Jesus had compassion on both and took the time to meet their needs.

She was a nameless woman, just another face in the crowd. Thankfully, on this day, nobody noticed her, much less recognized her. All eyes were on Jesus and walking with him was Jairus, the prominent synagogue official whose daughter was near death. She was running out of plans and hanging by a thread. Just a tiny thread of trust that Jesus is powerful and good.

Clinging to that hope, she does something risky and daring. She weaves and worms her way through the crowd. And when she gets close enough, she bends low and sticks her arm between two others. For just a moment, her fingers find the hem of the Healer’s garment. For a split second, she is literally hanging on by a thread. And then, in a blink, she senses it. She’s well.

By the time they reached Jairus’ house, the funeral had begun. The people thought the best Jesus could do was offer some kind words about Jairus’s little girl. Jesus had some words all right. Not about the girl, but for the girl. “My child, stand up!” The next thing the father knew, she was eating, Jesus was laughing, and the hired mourners were sent home early.

He’ll do it again. He’s promised he would. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first(1Thes. 4:16).

The same voice that awoke the boy near Nain, that stirred the still daughter of Jairus, that awakened the corpse of Lazarus – that same voice will speak again and the earth and the sea will give up their dead. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away(Rev 21:4).