Uncertainty

Uncertainty

I. TEXT:

Luke 8:40-56 (NKJV)

"So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him. 41 And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. 43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, 44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. 45 And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ” 46 But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” 47 Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. 48 And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” 49 While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.” 50 But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” 51 When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. 52 Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping.” 53 And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” 55 Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. 56 And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened.

II. INTRODUCTION:

Uncertainty is one of the most challenging parts of human life. Uncertainty is a place in the middle of where we come from and where we are going. Uncertainty is when we have traveled too far from our starting point to turn around, but not far enough to complete the journey. Uncertainty can be paralyzing. It can be deadly. Many dreams have died halfway between the starting point and the end.

We have all faced moments and even seasons of uncertainty. We have faced places where there doesn't seem to be a firm place to stand. We may have woken up in the morning not sure what the day will hold, or laid our heads on a pillow at night uncertain what the morning would bring. For some, there is uncertainty about where the next house payment will come from. Sometimes we face moments where our hopes are dashed against the rocks of an imagined uncertain future and our faith shrivels along the journey. Uncertainty happens in the middle, in the transitional places of life.

Uncertainty can push us into a panic causing us to run blind. Uncertainty can fold us into a place of paralysis. There are people who live their entire lives in places of uncertainty, running or hiding. Then there are others of us who hide our uncertainty under a veneer of pretended confidence. We are afraid to be vulnerable. We don't want to blow our cover and admit that we are unsure.

We have all been there at some point. When asked the question, "How are you?" Our response is. "Okay, how are you?" We don't admit the uncertainty in our souls. Under the surface, we are loaded with the fear of the foggy future ahead and so we keep up the front...

That is the way it is with uncertainty.

An exasperated husband asked his wife, "Why are you always worrying when it doesn't do any good?"

She piped back, "Oh, yes it does! Ninety percent of the things I worry about never happen."

We live in a world that wants to know. If you don't know, "google" it. We don't like uncertainty, but it is a part of life. we walk through one uncertain place after another.

Uncertain places.

III. TEXT:

Jairus is called a "ruler of the synagogue."

The “ruler of the synagogue” occupied a very important position. In the temple synagogue he was the third officer in rank; the first officer being the high priest, and the second the chief of the priests. In provincial synagogues the “ruler” was supreme. No one was eligible to this office until he had a certificate from the Great Sanhedrim that he possessed the requisite qualifications. His election, however, was by the members of the synagogue. It was his duty to supervise all matters connected with worship.