“21 And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. 22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 23 and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” 24 And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him.” Mark 5:21-24
In our daily lives, trust isn’t freely given; it’s earned through evidence and experience. We meticulously vet banks before entrusting them with our finances, scrutinize childcare facilities to ensure our children’s safety, and seek assurance from surgeons before undergoing procedures. Similarly, faith in Jesus isn’t blind; it’s grounded in reason and evidence. In the Gospel of Mark, we encounter narratives intended to establish our trust in Jesus. Over and over the Bible proves to us that He is worthy of our faith and capable of transforming our lives. Over the next few weeks we will dive into Mark 5:21-43 and explore what kind of faith Jesus truly deserves.
Worthy Of A Desperate Faith
Jairus, a synagogue leader, approaches Jesus with desperation, pleading for his dying daughter’s healing. His desperate faith is evident in his urgent and needy dependence on Jesus. Despite societal expectations, Jairus humbles himself before Jesus, recognizing his inability to save his daughter. His faith embodies an urgent plea for immediate intervention, acknowledging Jesus as the only source of hope.
He doesn’t care who is looking. He doesn’t care what the consequences of his actions are. He has lost all regard for appearances and pride. This is his little daughter. She is at death’s doorstep and it has turned him into a desperate man.
The Heart Of Jesus
So has Jairus fallen at the feet of the correct source? Well notice how Jesus responds in verse 24, “And he went with him.” Up to this point in the story, we don’t know whether or not Jesus is going to heal his daughter, but we do know this: Jesus was accessible to Jairus. Jesus responds to Jairus’s plea by accompanying him, demonstrating compassion. In the midst of desperation, Jesus is present and approachable, offering Himself to Jairus.
Falling At His Feet
Often, we exhaust ourselves seeking help from sources that lack the power to deliver. Every aspect of our lives, from decisions to struggles, should drive us to the feet of Jesus, where we find mercy and salvation. We don’t need convincing that we often find ourselves desperate for help in this dark world. But our hearts do need to be convinced that Jesus is ready to meet us in our desperation with his powerful light. So, whatever is currently bringing us to the end of ourselves is a friend guiding us to Jesus.
