Title: “Jairus’ Daughter Had a Concerned Father” Script: Lk. 8:40-56
Type: Father’s Day Where: GNBC 6-15-2014
Intro: In 1950, 17 percent of African-American children lived in a home with their mother but not their father. By 2010 that had increased to 50 percent. In 1965, only eight percent of childbirths in that segment of the community occurred out-of-wedlock. In 2000 that figure was 41 percent; and today, the out-of-wedlock childbirth in the Black community sits at an astonishing 75 percent. The number of African-American women married and living with their spouse was recorded as 53 percent in 1950. By 2010, it had dropped to less than 25 percent! Although this trend is most pronounced in that community it is being mirrored across all ethnicities in America. Dads…you are needed! (From Your Black World News, June 12, 2014) Yet, on virtually every sitcom and tv show, fathers are seen as incompetent and unnecessary. That is a lie promoted by the devil himself. Dads, you are necessary! Story looking at today is about a father who was absolutely essential to the survival of his daughter. Dads, your role in your family is VITAL and ESSENTIAL! Many fathers today are ashamed to identify fully and completely with Jesus Christ.
Prop: We’ll examine 3 actions Jairus was unashamed to take in identifying with Jesus.
BG: 1. The story is centered around the healing of a 12 yrs. old girl and her father’s response to her dire need. Accompanying the story is another plot line of a woman with a hemorrhage of the same amount of time and her healing. For our purposes we’ll focus on the one.
Prop: Examine with me 3 important actions Jairus unashamedly took in order to see her daughter healed.
I. Jairus was Unashamed to Seek out Jesus in His Time of Great Need.
A. Jairus was motivated to seek out Jesus because his precious daughter was gravely ill.
1. What do we know about this Jairus and his daughter?
a. v. 41 tells us that Jairus was “an official of the synagogue” at Capernaum in the Galilee, the region Jesus was always the most popular in. It was his duty to pick readers or speakers for the service. He was to make sure things done decently and in order.
b. v. 42 gives us another interesting fact into the life of this man, Jairus…he was a father! He was the father of a very sick 12 yrs old little girl. Loving fathers will go to many an extreme for one of their children in need.
2. We know that Jairus loved his daughter more than his own reputation.
a. Jairus was a man who would have been held in high regard by his own community. He would have been wealthy. He was a leader in the synagogue, as an official, he was sort of like what a pastor would be seen as in a church, he was dignified, was rigid in his faith and practice, he would have been the model of respectability. And yet, he is completely unconcerned about himself and how he is seen in the eyes of the people when his little girl is on the point of death and he goes to the Master to see help. In fact the Bible says he “fell at the feet of Jesus and began to entreat Him to come to his house.” The Bible uses the word “entreat”. “Entreating” is much more that simply asking someone to come with you or do something for you. It is begging and pleading with them. When you are “entreating” you are running out of options! Jairus knew that he was running out of options for his daughter and he was willing to make a scene if it required it.
b. Illust: Fathers, are you willing to make a scene so that your kids know that you believe Jesus Christ is your son or daughter’s biggest need? I know moms and dads who go absolutely gonzo-bonkers over kids sports, or music or art competitions, etc. Lets them know how important that is to them and their child’s success. Let me ask, do you show that same type of commitment to their spiritual growth and or successes? Oh, that fathers today would have the same driving passion that St. John did in IIIJn. 1:4 : “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” I have told my kids many times over that I do not care what they do in life as long as they do what the Lord wants of them. I will have no greater joy in life than to know they are walking in the truth.
B. Jairus set an example for Fathers today: Seek out Jesus.
1. Fathers are a vital link to identity and purpose in life.
a. Illust: In his scrupulously researched book on how the sexual revolution has proven a war against fathers, Stephen Baskerville, professor of government at Patrick Henry College, describes the costs of divorce: “No legislative enactment has spread more turmoil throughout the social order, transferred more power to the state, or done more to debase the legal machinery from a dispenser of justice into a weapon of plunder and aggrandizement of power.” Divorce cases in the U.S. now account for 35 to 50 percent of civil litigation, costing the public billions of dollars per year. Out of these cases has grown a vast panoply of ancillary bureaucracies: social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists, child protection experts and enforcers, counselors, mediators, divorce planners, forensic accountants, etc. Behind a smoke screen of piety concerning the difficult job they have to do in “helping” or “providing services,” their purpose is the human equivalent of the breaker’s yard: They tear asunder the superstructure of the family and then move to the foundations, demolishing relationships between husband and wife, between parents and children, and even sometimes between the children themselves.
b. Go back to the passage. Jairus knew that he needed to get Jesus to his daughter…asap! Dads, let me ask you, how important is it to you that child learns about and knows Jesus? Do your sons and daughters know about your conversion? Your Bible reading or prayer? Are you communicating that something is more important that knowing Jesus? Is SS a priority?
2. Fathers: Today is there a great need in your home? Seek out Jesus!
a. Follow the example of Jairus. Seek out Jesus. I have a very good friend who years ago his young wife walked out on him. That friend realized he was a man with a lot of problems. As a child his single mother had faithfully taken him to church. He knew that was where he needed to find the answers for the problems that plagued both he and his marriage. Got saved.
b. Illust: Listening to Dr. Tony Evans preach. Talking about the dramatic change that came to his home when his father got saved. Father was a long shoreman and whenever not working, ALWAYS led family by taking (not sending) them to SS and Church. Observe Christ's comfortable words to Jairus, Fear not, believe only, and thy daughter shall be made whole. No less hard was it not to grieve for the loss of an only child, than not to fear the continuance of that grief. But in perfect faith there is no fear; the more we fear, the less we believe. The hand of Christ's grace goes with the calls of his word,
C. Applic: When Jairus’ daughter got incredibly sick he knew he needed to quickly seek out Jesus. Dads, do you have a trial facing in life? Seek out Christ.
II. Jairus was Unashamed to Bring Jesus to his Home.
A. In His Desperation, Jairus begs Jesus to come to his house.
1. Jairus’ daughter sick and at home and this desperate father wanted Christ to come home.
a. vv. 43-48 Along the way to his house with a large crowd following, Jairus gets to see Jesus at work. A woman who had been suffering with a hemorrhage of blood for 12 years (same age as the Synagogue leader’s daughter.) Reaches out and touches Jesus’ cloak as He and the crowd passes her by. Instantly the woman is healed and Jesus! She is then made to confess that she was the one who had, in faith, touched Christ for healing… And, instead of scolding this woman, Jesus praises her determined faith! Do you think this encounter made any type of impression on Jairus? Certainly! I imagine it strengthened his faith immeasurably.
b. Illust: IN nearly 28 yrs of marriage I have had some large groups of people in for dinner at our house and my wife has most graciously entertained. From large families to small groups to Seder Suppers with 25 or more people to inviting the CHS girls XC or Track team over for dinner. All 60-70 of them! But, I have to admit, that if Jairus would have had a cell phone back in his day, I would have loved to have heard his phone call to his wife. (Says in Mk 5:24 – Great multitude were following!) “Hello dear…this is Jairus. Great news! Jesus is coming to look at our daughter…and one little thing….the ENTIRE town is coming over too…right away. Ok?
2. Honor the Lord by allowing Him complete access to all the individuals under your care.
a. I like how we practice infant dedication at GNBC. Parents dedicate the children with commitment of the congregation. In Scripture there is an example of dedicating children to the Lord. In 1 Samuel 1:11, 26-28, Hannah vowed to dedicate her child to the Lord if He would grant her one. The Lord honored her request and she kept her vow, dedicating Samuel to the Lord. “…then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life” (1 Samuel 1:11). As a Christian parent, by dedicating a child to the Lord, you are acknowledging your need for God in your family; inviting God to be active in your family life; submitting your own desires for your child to God’s desires for him/her; making a commitment to raise your child in God’s way. We believe that your child is not only yours, but a gift from God. We are earthly stewards of the life God has placed in our home. “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate” (Psalm 127:3-5).
b. Contrast Jairus’ actions here with Nicodemus’ actions in John 3. Nicodemus was a “ruler of the Jews” ( Sanhedrein). He was filled with questions that needed answers, but he most likely didn’t want to be seen asking the questions of Jesus. Wanted to keep his reputation and standing intact. Jairus was beyond that point. He needed Christ and need him NOW! Some of your fathers here today are trying to learn more about Jesus. Testing the waters. Keeping a low profile and flying under the radar. Concerned about what friends would think if came to Christ. Others are like Jairus: You are in trouble and only Jesus can help and don’t give a rip who sees you. God bless you both!
B. Realize that when Jesus enters your home, He is Lord of your home as well!
1. Jesus Christ takes second place to no one.
a. We have all heard said that “A man’s home is his castle.” I think that for the Christian man that phrase needs to be altered a little. “A Christian Man’s Home is Jesus’ Ministry Center.” Father’s do you see your home as a center for glorifying God in and thru or do you simply see it as your own to do with as you please? Are you hospitable? (Opportunity for Hospitality next month.)
b. Illust: A cute little girl was sitting on top of a pile of luggage in a hotel. Her parents were at the desk registering for their room. A sympathetic lady asked the little girl if they were visiting relatives in the city. “Oh, no”, replied the girl. “We’re going to live at this hotel until we find a house. My daddy got a new job and we had to sell our old house and move.” The lady said, “Oh, it’s too bad you don’t have a home.” To which the girl replied, “We do have a home-it’s just we haven’t found a house to put it in yet.”A lot of people in this building have a house to live in but you are still homeless. Dads, the very best thing you can do to make your house a home is to bring Jesus Christ indoors.
2. Some individuals are afraid to allow Christ to come into their lives.
a. At this point in Jairus’ life he knew that his daughter’s sickness was greater than his own ability to handle. Everyone who comes to faith in Christ comes realizing the inevitable that he or she is incapable of what only Christ is capable of. It may be an addiction, or envy, or bitterness, or an illness, or some other perceived need. However, the Bible clearly teaches that our greatest need is for forgiveness of sin and restoration of a right relationship with God. (Rom. 3:23-24 : “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace, through the redemption which is in Jesus Christ.”
b. Illust: CS Lewis – Christ in the life of the believer is like someone who asks a plumber to come in and fix a leaky faucet. Result in fixing that faucet, however, going on a tearing out all the plumbing, changing the bathroom, etc. When got in touch with plumber, thought is was to fix the known problem. Didn’t realize would go on messing around with everything else in life. You see, when Jesus Christ enters a life He enters to make it ALL NEW. We may think we have a problem in one area, but He goes on making everything NEW!
C. Applic: Dads, just as Jairus was unashamed to bring Jesus into his home. Don’t you be either.
III. Jairus was Unashamed to Put his Child’s Welfare into the Hands of Jesus. (Lk. 8:49-56)
A. Our Children are in the safest condition possible when they have been put in the arms of Jesus.
1. Even upon receiving the worst news possible, Jairus does not lose heart and hope, but continues to commit his daughter to Christ’s care.
a. v.49 – While Jesus was still speaking to the woman whom He has just healed, a messenger comes from his own home and states some really awful news…the worst news… “Your daughter has died…do not trouble the Teacher anymore.” As a father how would you have felt at that moment? All over? Useless? Hopeless? Anger?...Had Jesus not stopped to talk to this woman He could have healed my daughter. I am sure those and many more emotions and thoughts were going through Jairus’ head.
b. Illust: Years ago we had friends in this town who were obsessed about protecting their children from any accident and corresponding injury. They had plastic plugs in every outlet. You could not open kitchen or bathroom counters due to locks. Doors had guards over the knobs so children couldn’t let selves out. Windows had special devices installed so could roll up and then fall out. Truthfully, the children sat in car seats in their van until at least 12 yrs. of age! Now, don’t get me wrong, safety is important. However, lesson I have learned in life: “Do your best in prevention and trust Jesus Christ for your children.” Putting our children into the Lord’s hands is most valuable decision we can make.
2. Jesus speaks peace to the heart of a terrified father.
a. v. 50 – Jesus comforts this terrified father’s heart. Don’t lose faith…believe! Don’t lose heart…believe! Don’t look around at the sights…don’t listen to the sounds…believe in Jesus!
Listen, it is really important for us to be reminded that Jesus loves our children even more than we do. In v. 54 when Jesus raises Jairus’ daughter from the dead he says: “Child arise!” The word for child is in the diminutive form in the Aramaic language. It is kind of how we might say: “Sweetie or Honey or …” Even Jesus’ choice of words shows His love for this man’s child.
b. Illust: The late comedian and actor Chris Farley thought that once he had his acting and comedian career going that he would have it made. He thought that show business and all that goes with it, fame and money in the bank, would help him reach that place where as he said, "the laws of the universe would not apply". He also noted that philosophy was false because he "still had to work on relationships and battle his weight and other demons as well". It was unfortunate that he died at the age of 33 with a drug habit. (Craig Brian Larson. Choice Contemporary Stories & Illustrations For Preachers, Teachers, & Writers. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1998, p. 251). The only real way that anyone can have peace with himself or herself is through a relationship with God
B. Securing the child’s welfare, Jesus had to kick a few negative influences out of Jairus’ home.
1. When Jesus enters Jairus’ home a few individuals and ideas have to go!
a. Illust: Let me tell you…old Jairus was a religious man. He was a righteous man. He was a man who honored the Lord and loved the Law. He kept the Sabbath. He was an upright and honest man. He was a family man. Yet, at this critical juncture in both his and more importantly, his daughter’s life, there were some really negative influences in the home that had to get the boot if Jesus was to work and his daughter was to be restored! (Dads, what is negative you are allowing or bringing into your own home? Alcohol? Drugs? Porn? Obsession with sports, hobbies, etc? Maybe even rebellious adult child who is completely at odds with your faith.
b. What negative influences had to be “kicked out” of Jairus’ house if Jesus was going to work? 1st Jairus had to believe that Jesus was greater than the worst news he could possibly receive. Fathers, raising children you and I will undoubtedly hear bad news about our kids. In the midst of that bad news we have to remember that Jesus is greater than the bad news we have heard! There is going to come trouble to ever life in this world. Period! Jesus is greater! Father’s you may hear those awful words: “Your child has cancer.”, “Your Jr./Sr. High daughter is pregnant.” “You son or daughter is a drug addict.” “Your son was just arrested.” “Your child was just killed!” AWFUL news! Yet, in the midst, the Bible tells us: II Cor. 10:5 “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Don’t freak out…but rather ask what Christ is doing in this situation. Jairus was at a point of crisis of faith. The evidence said it was all over…daughter is dead…but Jesus said…Keep on in faith! Observe Christ's comfortable words to Jairus, Fear not, believe only, and thy daughter shall be made whole. No less hard was it not to grieve for the loss of an only child, than not to fear the continuance of that grief. But in perfect faith there is no fear; the more we fear, the less we believe. The hand of Christ's grace goes with the call of His word.
2.
a. Although it does not say it as clearly in this passage, Matthew (9:23-24) records that not only was there a massive crowd gathering, but besides them, there were professional mourners, singers, and flutists, playing, singing, and crying their mournful dirges. All sorts of confusion. There would have been weeping and wailing. The sounds and emotions would have been oppressive! Friend, fear is contagious! Fear stifles faith…every time! And beyond this, when Jesus enters into Jairus’ house and says “She is not dead but asleep.” They begin to LAUGH at Jesus! Beware of anyone who has an influence in your life who scoffs at the words and commands of Christ! Confusion takes place when we try to listen to BOTH Jesus and the world! b.Illust: Some of you here today, dads as well as others. There are individuals in your life you are allowing more and more influence over you and your thinking who scoff at the clear commands of Christ. Do you really think they know more and are wiser than God? That thinking will ALWAYS keep you from exercising your faith and seeing Christ at work in your life! Jesus rounds up the negative influences and throws them out of the house!
C. Applic: C.H.Mackintosh wrote: “There is power in the presence of a risen Savior to solve our difficulties, remove our perplexities, calm our fears, ease our burdens, dry our tears, meet our every need, tranquilize our minds and satisfy every craving of our hearts.” We remember the story of Jairus’ daughter because Jairus had an awesome father!
