This evening I find myself reflecting on the message that was shared this morning on this story in the gospel of Mark. Most of us are familiar with it. It's the story of Jairus' daughter. As we begin the story Jairus comes, this ruler of a synagogue, a man who is a upstanding, and respected man in his community but also in his religion, he comes and throws himself at the feet of Christ. There's great desperation in our suffering. As the story unfolds Christ tells Jairus that He himself will follow him to his daughter. It must be quickly though, because Jairus' daughter is on the brink of death. As they move towards Jairus' home in the midst of a great crowd, there is a "no-named" woman who reaches out and touches Jesus. At this point Christ could keep going, obvsiouyl the need of Jairus is greater than the needs of this woman. Jairus would think so. Personally I would to if it was my daughter. But Christ invites this "interruption". He has a deep, and moving dialogue with this woman, and ultimately heals her, and gives her a new status as His daughter. But while Christ has gained a daughter, Jairus loses his. Servants run and tell Jairus that his daughter is dead. There it is. There's nothing left to do. Don't bother the "Teacher" anymore. Jairus, as would be expected, is filled with frustration, utter sorrow, and a sense of failure all in this moment. While one woman is rejoicing in the power of Christ, Jairus is doubting it. Then Christ looks at Jairus and says ,"don't fear, only believe". What? What does that mean? There's nothing left to believe or hope for. My daughter is dead.
Ultimately Jairus' daughter gets resurrected. She gets healed and restored back to her father. Why the intentional pace of Christ, to let Jairus' daughter die? Why didn't he rush, even run, to Jairus' daughter first, then come and heal the woman? I searched the web to find a picture of this story, containing and image of Jairus and Jesus, but there were none(not any good one's). I think it's because most of us, including me, tend to only think of the resurrected daughter in this story, and not the resurrected faith of Jairus.
Because of, not in spite of, but because of Jesus' intentional pace, Jairus not only saw a teacher who could heal, but a Messiah who was Lord even over death itself! The very God he worshipped as distant in the synagogue, he now knew in the present. Jairus received not only a resurrected daughter, but a faith in a present, and personal Christ.
Honestly, I don't want my story to be like Jairus'. I want God to answer my prayers now, to fulfill my desires now. But what would happen if I began to ask the Spirit, not when is this going to happen, but what and why are you doing it this way?
Driving home in the car recently, I found myself complaining about my job. I began to think that Christ wants me to be more involved in the residency, not wasting my time at my job. Right? Then I began to wonder, what if this is exactly where Christ wants me, and my family? In the stress, the frustration, and complexities of life. Not an escape out of it, but a present Christ in the midst of it. Would I not just be aware of, but trust the pace of Christ? It's easy for me to only think of getting there, instead of seeing what Christ is doing here. Taking my gaze of the "horizon' that I want to make mine, and instead focusing and gazing on the Christ who has made me His.
Honestly, life at my own pace is lousy. I'm a horrible master. Christ is a much better Master, and His pace, His yoke, is a much better one.
I don't want to respond to my feelings, but respond to the person of Christ. May we have the peace of Christ, as we trust in the pace of Christ.
Ultimately Jairus' daughter gets resurrected. She gets healed and restored back to her father. Why the intentional pace of Christ, to let Jairus' daughter die? Why didn't he rush, even run, to Jairus' daughter first, then come and heal the woman? I searched the web to find a picture of this story, containing and image of Jairus and Jesus, but there were none(not any good one's). I think it's because most of us, including me, tend to only think of the resurrected daughter in this story, and not the resurrected faith of Jairus.
Because of, not in spite of, but because of Jesus' intentional pace, Jairus not only saw a teacher who could heal, but a Messiah who was Lord even over death itself! The very God he worshipped as distant in the synagogue, he now knew in the present. Jairus received not only a resurrected daughter, but a faith in a present, and personal Christ.
Honestly, I don't want my story to be like Jairus'. I want God to answer my prayers now, to fulfill my desires now. But what would happen if I began to ask the Spirit, not when is this going to happen, but what and why are you doing it this way?
Driving home in the car recently, I found myself complaining about my job. I began to think that Christ wants me to be more involved in the residency, not wasting my time at my job. Right? Then I began to wonder, what if this is exactly where Christ wants me, and my family? In the stress, the frustration, and complexities of life. Not an escape out of it, but a present Christ in the midst of it. Would I not just be aware of, but trust the pace of Christ? It's easy for me to only think of getting there, instead of seeing what Christ is doing here. Taking my gaze of the "horizon' that I want to make mine, and instead focusing and gazing on the Christ who has made me His.
Honestly, life at my own pace is lousy. I'm a horrible master. Christ is a much better Master, and His pace, His yoke, is a much better one.
I don't want to respond to my feelings, but respond to the person of Christ. May we have the peace of Christ, as we trust in the pace of Christ.