A Man with Faith

Jesus is surrounded by a huge crowd. And into this melee comes a synagogue ruler, a man on a mission. He kneels at Jesus’ feet and says quite simply, “My daughter has just died. But come and put Your hand upon her and she will live.”  He has come straight to Jesus. (Matthew 9:18).

And Jesus goes with him. When they reach his house, Jesus turns out the wailing mourners outside. “Go away”, He says, “She’s not dead but sleeping.”  They laugh at Him. They know she is dead.

Jesus follows the parents into the house to where the girl is lying. There He takes her by the hand and gently tells her, “Little girl, arise!” And she does.

Mark also tells this story (Mark Chapter 5). Mark names Jairus, the father.

I am so struck by this man’s faith. He knows full well that his daughter has died. And, instead of giving up and thinking that it’s too late to do anything, he sets straight off to find Jesus.  And Jesus sends all the mourners packing before she has been raised back to life. Jesus knows what is going to happen and He brings life.

And when the little girl appears, alive and well for everyone to see, Jesus goes outside and the mourners are stunned.

Mark also tells this story of the synagogue ruler and his daughter (Mark Chapter 5). In Mark’s account we learn the name - Jairus - and we also learn that Jesus is in the vicinity   of Capernaum

Jairus knows Jesus. Jesus is a local rabbi. Capernaum is Jesus’ local synagogue. We know He goes there and has taught there – often.  Jairus has confidence in Jesus and who He is. And his confidence is built on that knowing Jesus and knowing that He comes from God. He trusts Jesus. And when the crunch comes for Jairus, he runs straight to Jesus.

I think it’s just the same for us. We probably find it hard to trust Jesus, to trust God when we don’t know Him very well.  But as we really begin to know Him – that’s when we also learn to trust Him.