His Move, His Touch
Are you in a desperate circumstance and can’t see a way out? This devotional study from Kirk Hunt will encourage you and help you focus on Jesus.
The Story
22And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet 23and 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.” 24So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him (Mark 5:22-24 NKJV).
Jairus put all of his religious doctrine into a scroll jar. He set his pride down on the kitchen shelf. Cloaked in humility and driven by distress, the pastor of the synagogue went to Jesus.
It’s amazing what a man will do for his sick child. He’ll put aside his political leanings. He’ll ignore denominational boundaries. He’ll even approach a backwoods carpenter-turned-preacher.
Jairus and his daughter’s need are real and urgent. Jesus agrees to come and heal the little girl. The crowd, looking for more spectacle and exhibitions of the miraculous, tags along.
Jairus, Jesus and the Disciples begin pushing through the crowded streets. Jairus must have ground his teeth at their slow progress. The crowd’s raw size and festival attitude formed one hindrance. Jesus’ willingness to minister on the way formed another. Still, he had to wait, while Jesus moved at His own speed.
30And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?” 31But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?'” (Mark 5:30-31 NKJV).
In the midst of the throng, a different soul, desperate for healing, touches Jesus. Her faith is so great that Jesus didn’t need to focus His attention on her. Healing power flows from Him to her at her believing contact.
Jesus stops the parade to address this unnamed woman’s enormous faith. Jairus stands by silent and stoned faced. I’m sure he meant the healed woman no ill, but his daughter remains sick and near death. This delay, even to teach belief and faith, stretches out the anguish of this man and father.
Even the Disciples are mystified at Jesus’ behavior. Perhaps they get the lesson later, but at that moment, they side with Jairus on the craziness of the situation. Still, Jesus stops and ministers.
More stalling. More delay. Disaster marches closer.
35While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” (Mark 5:35 NKJV).
Time has run out. The opportunity for the miraculous has passed. The need, that existed so urgently a few moments before, has vanished like smoke.
Category: Living the Faith, Spring 2017
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