Waiting in desperation

I’m currently working on the story of the woman with the issue of blood and the daughter of Jairus. I learn so much from writing and researching books. You can find the account in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke).

In the story Jairus’ only child falls ill to the point of death, and he goes to find Jesus who is in town. Jairus is a synagogue leader in Capernaum. Jesus is based out of that town. So Jairus would have been very aware of Jesus’ miracles and reputation. He also possibly struggled with believing or supported Jesus since he was part of the ruling community who mostly opposed Jesus.

Yet, when his daughter contracts something that brings her to the brink of losing her for good, Jairus goes to find the one he’s heard heals and does miraculous things. He approaches Jesus and explains his need. Jesus says, Well let’s go, and heads off to Jairus’ home.

As they walk toward their goal Jesus stops. Someone has touched him. Here scripture goes into the story of the woman with the issue of blood. But I want to stay focused on Jairus for this blog. Jairus came seeking help before his daughter dies. He is desperate. He doesn’t care that the crowd will recognize him and know he hasn’t been a proponent of Jesus. He comes in humility and pleading for what is precious to him.

But Jesus stops, and turns around, and starts talking to this woman. Jairus waits knowing this could cost him his daughter’s life. Can you feel the tension? Can you sense his desperation? I can imagine everything in Jairus wanted to scream and hurry Jesus along. Yet, to his credit, he waits. He chooses to trust Jesus.

Jesus finishes up with the woman and turns back to Jairus, and they begin their journey to see the child. All at once some neighbors come running up to Jairus.

Hey don’t bother him now. She’s gone.

Jairus must have been devastated. If only he’d come a day sooner. If only they had run instead of walked. If only Jesus hadn’t stopped to talk to that woman. If only, but now Jairus is faced with the loss of his child. His precious twelve-year-old daughter is gone.

Jesus tells him not to fear, to trust him, and continues toward the home. At the house Jesus scolds the mourners and sends them away, telling them the child is sleeping. If I’d been Jairus I would be confused at this point. These people knew death when they saw it. It was hidden away in a funeral home and a pretty box. It happened more openly than in our culture. Yet, here was Jesus clearly saying his daughter was not dead, only sleeping. His hope must have soared while battling with his worst fear.

The mourners leave or at least move outside, Jesus calls three of his disciple to go in with him, and they enter the child’s area. Jesus goes to her side and says “Get up, little girl.”

With that the child opens her eyes and sits up, healed, whole, well. Jairus must have been over the moon. I would’ve wanted to dance or flip cartwheels or shout, something indicating this momentous event. Then Jesus tells them, “don’t tell anyone what happened here.” What????

Have you ever experienced something so amazing that shot you from the valley of the shadow of death to the peak of Praise Mountain in a moment? Can you imagine being told now don’t tell anyone? Jairus, his wife, and their daughter are given life. We aren’t told if they kept the secret. We aren’t told if their testimony led others to Christ.

I think the gospel writers intentionally focused on what Jesus said and did without elaborating on the people involved. Because scripture points us to Him. I can’t wait to find out how these stories turned out when I cross to the other side. I want to know if the adulterous woman went and “sinned no more”. I want to know if the Samaritan woman used her unique story to reach others. Did the Syrophoenician woman get her daughter heal and then go back to life as it was or did she become a follower of Christ?

And I want to sit with Jairus and ask him what that moment of waiting was like, and how it felt just a few minutes later when his precious little girl opened her eyes.

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