And there came a man named Jairus, and he was an official of the synagogue; and he fell at Jesus' feet, and began to implore Him to come to his house; for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying. But as He went, the crowds were pressing against Him. (Luke 8:41-42 NASB)
Jairus was one of the people who had been waiting for Jesus. His name means "whom God enlightens" and that was exactly what had happened. He was a synagogue official, a part of the religious bureaucracy, most of whom had opposed Jesus as a heretic. The word translated as official indicates that he was likely a chief official. He was part of the religious hierarchy. Coming to Jesus would not be popular with his fellow officials. Falling at His feet would be shocking to them, and could well put his position of authority in jeopardy.
Jairus, however, had an urgent need and realized that Jesus was the only one who could meet it. He didn't care who was shocked. His twelve year old daughter was gravely ill and near death. No one could save her. No one, that is, but Jesus. When He returned from the Gerasenes, Jairus was quick to meet Him. Falling at the feet of Jesus, Jairus began to beg Him to come to his house to help his daughter. Jesus, ever compassionate and kind, did not refuse this heartsick father. He headed out.
We will soon see the exciting events that surrounded Jairus and his daughter but, for today, let's look at Jairus and his request. He had a need, only Jesus could meet it, and in his desperation, he laid on the ground, in the dirt, and gave his need to Jesus. He begged Jesus for help. There is no indication that he ever doubted whether Jesus could help, nor that he ever doubted if Jesus would help.
Jairus did not have a shopping list of interventions he recommended to Jesus. All he did was state his need (the ailing daughter) and invite Jesus into that need. (to go to his house). He left the choice of intervention to Jesus, and it was a good thing he did. When Jairus approached Jesus, he wanted healing for his daughter. By the time Jesus arrived, what he needed was resuscitation for her. Jesus wisely gave him what he needed, not what he thought he wanted. In the end, Jairus would receive so much more by leaving the choice to Jesus.
When we have situations beyond our control, is this what we do? Do we get on the floor at Jesus' feet and invite Him in to our situation, abandoning ourselves to His intervention? Do we leave the choice of intervention to Him or offer a list of things He needs to get done on our behalf? There is a place for specific requests, but perhaps we could see even greater miracles if we left the choice of intervention to Jesus.
Are you facing a difficult situation? Is a loved one in a desperate situation? Perhaps what is needed is a Jairus-type encounter with Jesus. Put your need at the feet of Jesus and allow Him to intervene as He sees fit. You, like Jairus, will be glad you did.
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Link to last night's post: http://leannahollis.blogspot.com/2014/08/friday-night-with-friends-checking.html
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Please continue to pray about the atrocities being committed around the world by radical jihadists and for those who face persecution and death on a daily basis. Pray for those who will be forced to recant their faith or die today. Pray, too, that, when that same persecution comes to our country, (and it will) we will be as brave and faithful as our brothers and sisters around the world.
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