Luke 8:40-42 (NIV) Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.
As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him.
Jesus had returned from the eventful trip to the region of the Gerasenes, and was immediately mobbed by the people of Capernaum, who wanted to see more miracles. But one man, Jairus, the synagogue ruler, came to Jesus on a special mission.
Jairus was no gawker or spectator. And he didn’t bring with him anyone for Jesus to heal. His twelve-year-old daughter was far too sick to leave the house. In fact, the doctors had told the whole family that she was dying, and that they could do no more for her. The signs of death were clearly on the girl, and the family had lost all hope and had begun the mourning process.
But then Jairus heard the news that Jesus had come back to town and, without a word of explanation, he headed out the door to the waterfront. If Jesus would only come before his daughter died, surely He could heal her and save her life.
Jesus was surrounded by a huge crowd, but Jairus’ desperation propelled him through the throng, right into Jesus’ presence, where he fell to his knees. His plea was simple: “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” (Mark 5:23 NIV)
That plea demonstrated a huge amount of faith that did not rest merely on desperation, but on Jairus’ knowledge of what Jesus had done before, and what he knew that He could do now. And it was that strong faith that moved Jesus to start immediately for Jairus’ house, pushing through the crushing crowds.
Father, we need to maintain that same faith in Jesus’ ability that Jairus had. We have adequate testimony of His ability in the gospels and the book of Acts, as well as the testimony of multiplied millions of witnesses through the ages. Add to that what He has done in our own lives, and there is no rational reason to doubt Him. I know that He has already done so much in my own life, and those acts of transformation, restoration, healing, and empowerment should form the basis of a boundless faith in my heart. Help me to keep all of these before me every day, so that my faith never falters, but continually grows in strength as Jesus’ faithfulness to me continues to be demonstrated. Amen.