Faith

One night a house caught fire and a young boy was forced to flee to the roof. The father stood on the ground below with outstretched arms, calling to his son, “Jump! I’ll catch you.” He knew the boy had to jump to save his life. All the boy could see, however, was flame, smoke, and blackness. As can be imagined, he was afraid to leave the roof. His father kept yelling: “Jump! I will catch you.” But the boy protested, “Daddy, I can’t see you.” The father replied, “But I can see you and that’s all that matters.” (Source unknown)

While Jesus is still talking, someone comes with the news that Jairus daughter is dead. He also accuses Jesus of not caring, otherwise, He would have hurried to help the girl and here He is just talking. He implies that they should not fool with this Jesus. Jesus heard what was said but didn’t pay any attention to it. He told Jairus not to be afraid, but to trust Him as everything would be OK.

He took only His inner circle of Peter, James and John and when they arrived at Jairus’ house they found the place in an uproar with hired professional mourners. These mourners with loud voices gathered around the dead body beating their breasts, tearing their hair and ripping their garments. Also it was the custom to eat eggs dipped in ashes and salt. When Jesus walked into this uproar He rebuked the mourners and told them the girl was not dead but just sleeping. They laughed at Him because they thought His hope was foolish. They failed to realize that what looks completely impossible with men is possible with God.

The text seems to suggest that the bearers of “Bad News” will always come, but the author of “Good News” is always in control. Jesus hears and ignores what others are saying. He has the last word. He is the author and finisher of our faith.

APPLICATION:

Ask yourself this question - Of the people in this account who would you say is the most like me?

___ Jairus

___The mourners

___ The three disciples

___The messenger who told that the girl was dead.