In the Bible in the books of Matthew, Mark and Luke there is a short story about a man named Jairus, his wife and their daughter who was very sick. She was just 12 years old and so sick that her mother and father were afraid that she was going to die.
The Lord Jesus who was on earth as a man during this time had gone away from the town in which Jairus lived. But He was now returning in a boat with some of His disciples. A crowd of people was waiting for him on the shore.
We can imagine how concerned Jairus and his wife were as they cared for their daughter whose life was slipping away. They knew about the Lord Jesus and the miracles that He had done. “If only He were here now!” they must have thought.
When Jairus heard that Jesus was back he came to Him, fell down at His feet and asked Him to come to his house. We are not told what Jesus said to Jairus, just that He went with him. The Lord Jesus is always ready to answer those who call to Him for help. He heard the call of Jairus, and He will hear your call, too, if you just believe that He can help you.
The love of the Lord Jesus is seen so many times in the Bible as we read about His life. He went where He was needed and where He could show forth the great love and kindness of God. Because of who He was, He could have just spoken a word and Jairus’s little girl would have been healed immediately, but He did not do this. Instead, He actually went with Jairus to his home.
I think we can imagine how relieved Jairus must have felt as Jesus started to walk along the road with him. But how slowly the crowd moved! It was not that Jesus wanted to go slowly, but the people pressed around Him, and it seemed as if they would never reach Jairus’s home. Poor Jairus! Would Jesus get there in time, or would they find they were too late?
Suddenly Jairus saw someone coming toward him whom he recognized. It was one of his own servants. He was bringing Jairus some news! Perhaps his little girl was better, or—he hardly dared to think of it—perhaps she was worse. What was the news—had she died? Yes, she had! Oh, what sadness filled his heart. Now it was no use. His servant had said, “Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.” Luke 8:4949While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. (Luke 8:49).
Can you imagine the disappointment that Jairus felt? His daughter was dead—oh, what sorrow! But let us look at Jesus. His face had not changed. If anything it showed an even more tender look of love and understanding as He spoke to Jairus.
What was He saying to Jairus? Wonderful words—amazing words — “Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.” verse 50. What wonderful words these were for a sorrowing father.
On they moved toward Jairus’s house. Crowds of people were at the house, weeping and showing how sad they were.
When Jesus saw the crowd of people, He said to them, “Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.” verse 52. The crowd did not understand what He meant, and instead of believing what Jesus said, they laughed at Him. Jesus, of course, knew that she had really died, but He knew also what He was going to do, and this enabled Him to speak such wonderful words. Although it was a terrible thing to laugh at what Jesus had said, He did not scold them about it, instead He sent them all outside.
Now three of the disciples, Peter, James and John had come with Jesus to Jairus’s house. Jesus took these three and the father and mother and they went into the room where the little girl was lying. Did they really believe what Jesus had said—that she was only asleep? Then came the most wonderful sight they had ever seen. Jesus went right to the bed where the little girl was lying and took her hand in His. Just think of that—Jesus took her by the hand! We must never forget who Jesus is. He was, He is and always will be God Himself, but He had come into this world as a man. God Himself in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ had come so close to a little girl that He could take hold of her hand. But He did even more than that. He said, “Damsel, I say unto thee, arise” (Mark 5:4141And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. (Mark 5:41)), and immediately she opened her eyes and sat up. Can you picture how amazed her father and mother must have been to see all this, and their deep joy as they watched her get up and walk? Their little girl was perfectly well again!
People who do not know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour are looked upon by God as being dead. Of course, these people are living and walking and talking as we see them, but as God sees them it is as though they were actually dead— “dead in trespasses and sins.” Ephesians 2:11And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; (Ephesians 2:1).
When a person we know dies, they cannot love us any more or speak to us or do little things for us. This is just the way-that unforgiven sinners appear in the sight of God. But, thank God, sinners do not have to remain like this. The Lord Jesus Himself has gone into death and come out of it again. In His love He has taken the sinner’s place, taking the punishment that we as sinners deserved. The wonderful result is that by believing in Him and accepting for ourselves what He has done, we become “alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:1111Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:11).
With our sins forgiven and gone forever we can come near to God in complete peace. Our hearts now are filled with His love, and we are happy to talk to Him, praise Him and serve Him. But the start of it all is a touch from Jesus Himself. Then having started on the right road, He will guide us and lead us until we go to be with Him in heaven where “there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:44And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (Revelation 21:4).
ML-02/26/1984