Encounters with Jesus - Pt 1

While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. And when Jesus came to the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. And the report of this went through all that district. (Matthew 9:18-26 ESV). Today we begin a new series. I must confess that the idea for the series is born in the need to prepare for the teachings I will be doing with our life group. Our pastor, Mark Mangrem, has begun a new series titled “Defining Moments.” Since I have a greater opportunity because of the daily publication of these devotionals I won’t be using just the material on Sunday mornings. Rather, I’ll expand our look at more of these encounters. The first is Jairus’ daughter. This father was desperate. In a frantic last-hope bid he threw aside the thought that this action could alienate him from the other synagogue leaders; in his despair he cast his own personal pride and dignity to the winds and knelt at the feet of Jesus, begging his help.

Back in his home Jairus' only daughter lay dying. Neither the collected wisdom of the women nor the advice of the doctors had succeeded in holding back the ultimate end of every human. Death was at the door of his home and it appeared that it was coming for his child. The professional mourners were gathered in anticipating the final moment when the child would take her last breath. Nothing could have prepared him for the pain and anguish gripping his heart. Relentlessly, death came and collected its toll. As Jesus spoke to a random woman touching him from the suffocating crowd surrounding him as he walked, ultimately healing her of the lifelong illness she suffered, the message was whispered to Jairus. Death had come. Nothing could be done. There was no need for Jesus now. There was no hope for healing now. The final enemy of all men had claimed the girl. However, as these hopeless words pound their way into Jairus' consciousness there came another word: “Don't be afraid; I’ve got this.” He knew it was the whisper of God in his desperation at a desperate time. He makes his way home where the air itself seems to draw him to a point of breathlessness. Jesus says, “She is not dead, but sleeping.” The noisy wailing crowd laughs. Death had come. They all know it. They had seen this too many times before. The hopeless crowd is put out of the house. Their dirge has no part in what is about to happen. The child's hand is cold and lifeless; her ears are now deaf; her spirit has departed the flesh; but, at the touch of Jesus life returns. We see the miracle of possibility. We see the promise of life. We witness the preview of our own resurrection, of life beyond death through the work of Jesus. Is that the miracle you need today? Trust in the One who has that power. He will not let you down! He has already secured it in His work on the cross and in his resurrection!