Jairus’ story tells not only of faith that counteracts fear, but of a Savior, who commands it. When Jairus, a respected leader of the synagogue, falls at the Rabbi’s feet in a desperate plea to save his feverous daughter, Jesus turns to address another concern of a nameless woman in agony. Through the healing of this unclean, isolated, and untouched woman, we are introduced to a Jesus who is not constrained by time, status, position, condition, what we’ve done, or our level of need. When Jairus is told that his daughter is dead, Jesus uses the situation to grow Jairus in his faith. He tells him, “do not be afraid, have faith.” In bringing Jairus’ daughter back to life, we are reminded that He is also a Jesus who is not constrained by death; and, who sometimes uses His healing hands to orchestrate restoration in our circumstances and our faith.

 Scripture References

Mark 5:21-43
Leviticus 15

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-When we come to Jesus, He not only gives us more than we expected, He gives us life, but He also asks for our life in return. Jairus experienced humility through giving up his status, and the unnamed woman had to give up her shame. What do you need to give up to humble yourself before Jesus?
-God is always using circumstances to attract our attention and draw us to Himself. It was sickness that brought both Jairus and the woman to Him. What is God doing in your life to draw you to Himself?
– The object of your faith matters more than the quality of your faith. For Jairus and the woman Jesus was a last-ditch-effort, but He used their weak faith to restore life. In what ways are you looking to Jesus to just solve your problems and not as the object of your faith?
– Whether we need healing from guilt, shame, failure, abuse, neglect, loss, or sickness, we all need healing. Where do you need to go for healing?

Thoughts to Consider

– If we try to impose our understanding of scheduling and time on God, we will struggle to feel His love. God knows what He’s doing even though we might not fully understand.
-We think if God cares for us things will be easy, predictable, and safe. The reality is that God’s care is sometimes uncomfortable and comes in the forms of disappointment, trials, sickness, suffering, or loss.
-Jairus came to Jesus for a fever, and he received a resurrection. The woman came to be healed and she received restoration. When you come to Jesus, He will not only give you more than you expected, but He’s also going to ask more from you than you expect.
-When we pray for healing, we have to believe that He can heal but leave it up to Him whether or not He actually does. Just because we have prayed doesn’t mean God is now indebted to us for healing.
-He is Lord over sickness, suffering, storms, and He is Lord over death.