JAIRUS’ TROUBLE
Mk. 5:21-24, 35-42
INTRODUCTION
A. HUMOR
1. Persistence is an important characteristic of the child of God.
2. A persistent salesman refused to leave when the secretary told him the boss was out.
3. An hour passed, then two. Finally, weary of being a prisoner in his own office, the boss admitted the salesman.
4. "My secretary told you I was out," exclaimed the puzzled boss. "How did you know I was in?"
5. "Easy," explained the salesman. "Your secretary was working."
B. POWER OF A LITTLE GIRL’S LIFE
1. In October, 1987, a little girl named Jessica McClure fell down an abandoned well shaft, 8 inches in diameter and 22 feet deep outside of Midland, Texas.
2. She was in near total darkness, with a broken arm, unable to move, and singing nursery rhymes to herself.
3. Her rescue became the focus of the nation, dominating television and newspapers headlines for 58 continuous hours. As President Ronald Reagan put it, "Everybody in America became godmothers and godfathers of Jessica while this was going on."
4. Officials initially thought it easy until they ran into limestone which blunted equipment. When she was finally brought up, with cameras flashing, the rescuers were crying, the parents were crying, even the newscasters were crying.
5. We’re going to read about another little girl whose parents were trying to save her life.
C. TEXT
When Jesus had again crossed over…the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” So Jesus went with him.” [Issue of Blood] While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe. He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.” Mk. 5:21-24, 35-42.
C. THESIS
1. The death of a child is one of the top three traumatic events in a person's life.
2. This highlights the importance of persevering in prayer.
If there you’ve had a delay to your prayers, this account should encourage you.
3. The title of this message is “Jairus’ Trouble.”
I. HOW JAIRUS APPROACHED JESUS
A. HUMILITY
1. THE N.T. TELLS OF TIMES PEOPLE DEMANDED MIRACLES OF JESUS BUT DIDN’T GET THEM.
a. Mt. 12:38, Scribes and Pharisees.
b. Mt. 16:1, Pharisees and Sadducees.
c. John 2:18, Jewish leaders & people during the cleansing of the Temple.
d. Jn. 6:30, by the Sea of Galilee.
2. NO SO, JAIRUS, "he fell at His feet." Act of humility. Such an act was unusual then -- especially for synagogue rulers. We must humbly go to God too. "God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble."
B. HE PRAYED/ SOUGHT EARNESTLY
1. KJV Vs. 23, "Besought him greatly.
2. "NIV -- "Pleaded earnestly with Him."
3. These describe the terrible grief over his child. “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
4. There's nothing like a trial to impel us to seek God's face.
C. VERBALIZED HIS FAITH
1. Verse 23, We also need to be specific: a. Come, b. Put your hands on her, c. Heal her, d. That she may live.
2. Romans 10:8-10, “Believe with your heart, confess with your mouth.” Ask in faith. Result? Jesus went with Jairus.
3. According to Matthew 9:18, Jesus was right in the middle of teaching, "while he yet spoke these things...".
4. This shows us that Jesus is willing to be interrupted when He hears our cry. He cares about people, not things! Doesn't sound like much, but it expresses God's willingness to be involved with us.
II. JESUS WENT WITH JAIRUS
A.JESUS’ CARE
1. He will come with us in the midst of our Crisis.
2. Jesus will go to Your House.
Jesus will go to Your Job.
Jesus will become involved in Your Marriage.
Jesus will become involved in your child's situation.
B. LOVE’S CONDESCENSION
1. Illustration. A grandson (toddler) was put in his crib because he disobeyed his Mom. His grandpa, touched by his crying, wanted to take him out of the playpen. His mom said, "No he's been a bad boy."
2. Grandpa’s heart went out to the boy but he didn't want to go against the momma.
3. So grandpa went over and climbed into the playpen with the boy. The boy must have the punishment, but the grandpa would suffer it with him!
4. That's how God does with us. He must do what's right, but He stoops to suffer with us in our situations.
5. The Bible says that Christ “is touched with the feelings of our infirmities” Heb. 4:15. Christ weeps with those who weep and rejoices with those who rejoice.
C. MIRACLES HAPPEN WHEN JESUS COMES!
1. A Pastor decided to let his three-year-old son record the message for their home answering machine: “Mommy and Daddy can’t come to the phone right now. If you’ll leave your name & phone number, they’ll get back to you as soon as possible.”
2. Afterward, the father pressed the play button and heard his son sweetly say, "Mommy and Daddy can’t come to the phone right now. If you’ll leave your name, phone & number, they’ll get back to you as soon as Jesus comes.”
III. DISCOURAGEMENTS JAIRUS FACED
A. CROWD, SICK WOMAN
1. The first discouragement was that a huge crowd impeded their progress. Luke says, “As Jesus went on His way, the crowds almost crushed Him” (8:42).
2. It’s like trying to get your loved one to the hospital and getting stuck in a traffic jam! Someone said, “Americans will put up with anything provided it doesn't block traffic.” Why do they call it “Rush Hour” when ½ the time you’re not moving?
3. For Jairus, every second was critical – his daughter’s life was ebbing out of her. And here they were surrounded by a mob that brought progress to a standstill.
4. Then Jesus stopped the whole procession to enquire about someone who had touched Him. Precious minutes ticked by. How could Jesus allow these delays?
B. “WHY TROUBLE THE MASTER?”
1. Then a friend or family member arrived to tell Jairus that his daughter was now dead. There was no more hope. “Why trouble the Master any further?”
2. REASONABLENESS OF THE QUESTION.
a. Further urgency useless -- since she was dead.
b. Others people needed Jesus’ assistance.
c. Christ was probably weary.
3. Fallacies Involved. (The truth is…)
a. It “troubles” Jesus more if we don’t seek Him.
b. He Himself encouraged people to “trouble” Him. “Come to Me all you who are weary and heavy laden.”
c. There is no case too desperate to bring to Christ.
C. JAIRUS IGNORED IT
1. Next: The Mourners doubted Christ’s Word.
2. Jesus encouraged Jairus to keep believing, Vs. 36.
2. So Jairus focused on Jesus, not on the circumstances.
3. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Prov. 3:5.
4. WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN:
a. Car breaks b. kid’s rebel (dead in sin)
c. Marriage seems dead
d. Family member on drugs
e. Finances/ job falls apart?
5. HEAR JESUS, “BE NOT AFRAID, ONLY BELIEVE!”
6. Outcome of holding and trusting? Jesus raised her from the dead. “Talitha Koum” – “Little girl I say unto you, ‘Get Up!’”
7. Luke 7:55 says, “her spirit returned.” I’m glad we serve a God who is Lord over heaven AND HELL! (Realm of the Dead). In Rev. 1:17-18 Jesus says…
8. “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
CONCLUSION
A. ILLUSTRATION
1. The famous statue Christ the Redeemer overlooks the city of Rio de Janeiro. The statue is a model of Christ with His arms extended so that His body forms the shape of a cross.
2. Brazilian architect Heitor da Silva Costa designed the figure. He imagined that the city’s residents would see it as the first image to emerge from the darkness at dawn.
3. At dusk, he hoped the city dwellers would view the setting sun as a halo behind the statue’s head. Thus he hoped Christ would be the first thing and the last thing the people of Rio de Janeiro would view every day!
4. That’s how WE should be!
5. There’s value in keeping our eyes on Jesus. Job, as he suffered, said, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the Earth” (19:25). [Jennifer Schuldt]
B. THE CALL
1. Jesus cares for you, in your crisis, just as much as He did for Jairus. Do you have a situation where help seems impossible? Are others discouraging your faith?
2. DO LIKE JAIRUS:
a. Humble Yourself
b. Call Earnestly on God
c. Verbalize your faith
d. Believe and keep going despite other’s doubt.
3. TRIALS BRING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH
a. 2 Chr. 32:31. God left Hezekiah to try him and learn all that was in his heart.
b. A teacher, in school, talks constantly until test time. Then is silent and refuses to speak.
4. SCRIPTURES ABOUT GOD HELPING US:
a. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” Ps. 46:1.
b. “My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” 2 Cor. 12:9.
c. “Do not fear…2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; flames will not set you ablaze. 3 For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior” Isa. 43:1-3.
4. “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want” Ps. 23:1.
