What do you do when you are faced with a desperate situation? Where do you turn for help?
In the Gospel of Mark 5:21-42, we have two very desperate situations.
1. A leader in the synagogue, named Jairus came to Jesus because his little girl was dying. He was desperate.
2. A woman, who had been battling a blood disease for 12 years came to Jesus because she was desperate.
The name Jairus means “diffuser of light.” As far as he was concerned, Jesus was his only source of hope. It is interesting what God can do to get us to turn to Him and trust Him.
As I read the account of Jairus and his little girl, I saw three things that I would like to share with you.
1. The Reason he came. Mark 5:22-23
2. The Response to his coming. Mark 5:24
3 The Result of his coming. Mark 5:38-42
Join me in considering Jairus’s situation from these three considerations.
1. Jairus Came to Jesus (Mark 5:22-23)
a. He had a huge problem.
b. His little girl was dying – “she was at the point of death”.
c. There was no other help available.
d. Being a leader in the synagogue, I am sure he was used to prestige. He may have even been proud of his position.
e. It is so interesting the circumstances God can use to get people to come to Him.
f. I see that Jairus’s desperate situation humbled him. “And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet, and begged Him earnestly, saying “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.”
He obviously knew enough about Jesus that he was convinced the LORD could heal his daughter.
2. Next, let us consider Christ’s Response to Jairus’s need. In Mark 5:24 we read “So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.”
a) “So, Jesus went with him.” What encouraging words!
b) Jesus is never insensitive to our needs.
Listen to what the writers of Hebrews 4:14-16 have to say – “Seeing then that we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses but be in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us, therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of trouble.”
Note: As Jesus was on His way to Jairus’s home, He was interrupted by a woman who had suffered from a blood condition for twelve years. (Mark 5:25-34) She had sought help but to no avail. Then she heard that Jesus was in the area, so she went to find Him. He was surrounded by a crowd of people pushing and shoving. She thought “if I can just touch His clothes, I shall be made whole.” Once again, it is faith that determines what we do or do not receive.
In Hebrews 11:6 we read “So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that there is a God that He rewards of those who sincerely seek Him.” (NLT)
So – here we have a desperate synagogue leader and
– a desperate lady with a health problem.
– Both of them demonstrated faith by coming to Jesus, believing He could meet their need.
The lady was able to reach out and touch Jesus and immediately she experienced healing. Jesus sensed that strength or power had left His body and He turns and asks “Who touched me?”. (Mark 5:30)
The disciples can hardly believe He is asking such a question, … “Lord, look at the crowd! They are all clamoring to get close to you, and you want to know who touched you!”
Jesus saw the woman. She was trembling and fearful. She came and fell at His feet and shared her story. He said to her – “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be healed of your affliction.”
I think it is significant that when Jairus and the unnamed woman came to Jesus, they both fell to their knees, acknowledging that He was someone really special.
Well, as happens so many times when we are desperate, more bad news arrived. People came from Jairus’s home with word that his daughter had died. You can imagine how distressed he must have felt. His little girl was dead. But Jesus said to him “Do not be afraid; only believe.” He would not let the crowd follow any further and He, plus Peter, James, and John went on with Him to Jairus’s home. As might be expected, the house was full of sorrow and tears, so Jesus put all of the grievers out and He and His friends with the parents went to the little girl’s room. There she lay, obviously void of life.
It only took a minute for Jesus to transform the room of sorrow into a room of supernatural blessing and joy. In an instant He proved Himself to be a God who cares, who answers prayer, and who heals.
Jesus went to the little girl, took her by the hand, and said “Talitha, cumi” – “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” We read “Immediately, the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with amazement.” (Mark 5:42)
Can you imagine the joy and excitement the parents felt to have their daughter restored to them?
Can you imagine how the woman felt when she realized she was healed?
Are you facing a desperate situation today? Maybe you have exhausted all of your options to no avail. My precious brothers and sisters, come to Christ. He cares. He listens. He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all we can ask or imagine, according to His mighty power that works in us. (Ephesians 3:20)
Come believing and leave receiving and rejoicing.
Pastor Leonard DeWitt
