A young teenage boy had just gotten his driver’s license. When he got home, he asked his father, who was a minister, if they could discuss the use of the car. His father took him into his study and said to the boy, “I’ll make a deal with you. If you bring up your grades, study your Bible a little, and get a haircut, then we’ll talk about the use of the car.”
After about a month, the boy came back and again asked his father if they could discuss the use of the car. They again went to the father’s study where his father said, “Son, I’ve been so very proud of you. You have brought up your grades, you’ve studied your Bible diligently, but you didn’t get your haircut.” The young man waited a moment and replied, “Dad, I’ve been thinking about that. You know, Samson had long hair, Moses had long hair, Noah had long hair, even Jesus had long hair...” His father interrupted him at that point and said, “Yes son, and they walked everywhere they went!”
The Lord and his disciples had returned to the boats following the casting out of the veil spirits from the demon possessed man. As they began to row away from the beach towards the northeastern shores of Capernaum, perhaps they could see a crowd of frightened and superstitious Gentiles, the same time they could see the former demon possessed man once known as Legion standing alone on the beach, fully clothed and in his right mind, waving good-bye to his new Lord and Saviour. His heart was now filled with joy of being freed from the demonic possession, and he had been given a commission to tell all of the surrounding cities what had happened to him.
On one side, the people could not wait to see Jesus leave. On the other side, they could hardly wait for Him to arrive. For in verse forty, we are told that Jesus and his disciples returned to the beaches of Capernaum they were warmly welcomed by the multitudes. What we have before us this morning is two interwoven stories that teach us some fascinating principles on faith.
In this passage, we are introduce to two different people from completely different backgrounds. One is a very religious man and the other is an outcast of society. The ladies issue had been ongoing as long as Jarius’ daughter had been alive. Each had a very public encounter with Christ that would cause them to build a daring faith!
Here we find a dad that was concerned for his little girl:
1. He was a “ruler of the synagogue”.
2. Oversaw the daily operations of the
synagogue.
3. Arranged the services.
4. He did the custodial duties.
5. He was much like one of today’s Pastors.
6. He chose who would read the Scripture and
who would speak etc.
7. He was well known and much respected in
the community.
8. He had possibly heard Jesus speak in the
synagogue at Capernaum.
9. He was also a Dad.
We do not know the little girl’s name, she us usually referred to as Jairus’ daughter. What do you suppose she saw in her dad? She saw his prominence in the community. I wonder if she thought of him as being old fashioned and out of touch like many
teenage daughters. How did Jarius develop a Daring faith?
1. He was not ashamed to seek Jesus. (vs. 41)
Notice that he didn’t come in the dark of nightlike Nicodemas. There was a multitude of people there. Jairus had come because his daughter was sick. It is a hard thing for a father to see his children suffer in sickness. Jairus stepped up without reservation and fell down a Jesus feet.
Notice the Jairus went himself. He did not send his wife. He did no send one of the other children. (assuming there were any) He didn’t send a servant. He went to Jesus Himself.
2. He was not deterred by interruptions (vs. 42-48)
a. Our limited sight: Jesus is not bound by our time schedule
i. Others have issues that require Jesus’ attention as well.
ii. Aren’t you glad that Jesus can handle more than 1 issue at a time?
b. Her Condition
i. She had been to every doctor and they only took her money and made her no better.
ii. . This disease had robbed her of:
a. life strength and health
b. her family (no mention of husband....in those days a man could divorce
his wife if she burnt his breakie. All he would have to do it give her a written notice of intent and then publicly say “I divorce you.” 3x.)
c. her friends
d. place of worship
ceremonial unclean
1. touching the dead
2. leprosy
3. this type of bleeding.
e. There was no cure for this lady!
c. Her Cure
i. Only Christ could heal her of her issues both physically and spiritually.
ii. She hoped to remain private.
d. Her Confession
i. She was confronted with a direct question from Christ, “Who touched me?”
ii. Christ asked this question to test this women’s faith and bring her out of hiding! He did not want her to be a secret service Christian!
iii. Remember, through this all Jarius is still waiting for Christ to get to his daughter before she died!
1. Who cared who touched you....my daughter is still sick!”
2. He must have started questioning God’s timing.
iv. Remember faith means trusting in God’s care and accepting His timing!
v. Faith was never intended to be a private matter! Jesus refused to let her go on without confessing her faith. (Mat. 10:32; Romans 10:10)
3. He was not discouraged by circumstances. (Vs. 49-50)
4. He held on when reason said to give up. (49-56)
a. His faith was challenged by a change of circumstance.
b. Jesus invited him to not fear but to still believe.
c. Faith is not the belief that we will get what we want but the belief that God knows what is best!
Conclusion:
It may be that you say, “All this talk about faith is fine. It is wonderful how he healed the woman and raised the little girl back to life. But he didn’t do that for me! I’m still sick and he has not healed me. Or my loved one died, and they are gone, even though I wanted them back, too. Why doesn’t he respond that way today? The answer is that He healed this women and he raised this child in order that we might have a new view of sickness and death!
The Christian can stand at the bedside of a loved one who is ill and pray for God to heal them. Then, believing that God can heal them, if the loved one dies, still believe that our God did heal them totally by bringing them into the eternal presence of the Lord. THIS LIFE IS NOT ALL THERE IS!!!!!
Today, Jesus is still looking for hurting people, brokenhearted people, and damaged, frustrated, hopeless people. People who cover up all their hurts, people who have been hurt so many times that they no longer trust anyone. He is looking for people like that, he is still reaching out to people just like that.....Do not let Him pass by today without reaching back in faith and believing!
