https://www.bible.com/events/49469036
Church of the Nazarene – East Rockingham Campus
Miracles Part 4
Jairus followed Jesus anyway, will you?
Today we are going to talk about one of the hardest things to wrestle with as we consider miracles- And that is God’s timing
As we conclude our series on Miracles this morning, I want to answer what may be the one question you’ve been asking as you’ve listened. Not Who? Or What? Or Where? But: WHEN?
Throughout this series, we have defined a miracle as:An extraordinary work performed directly by the power of God in our natural world for His glory. Works that reveal his word, presence, and love in our world.
We are seeking to open our hearts and minds to the reality that Jesus is still doing miracles today. We want to be people who have eyes to see the power of God at work in our lives and in our world, and to give him praise and glory.
Mark 5:21-23
When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of 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.”
Jairus is like the executive pastor at the local Jewish synagogue. He was in charge of taking care of the details of the service, seeing to the daily affairs of things. He was a man of prominence, of authority and good reputation. Not someone you see making rash decisions or actions.
But today he’s desperate. He needs a miracle, and He approaches Jesus, of all things, begging for it.
The language here indicates that Jairus didn’t just ask once, it was over and over. His only daughter was dying. She was in her final hours of life, and time was of the essence. Jesus, I need you NOW.
Mark 5:24
So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him.
The language here literally means that the crowd was pressing in around Jesus so hard, they were crushing him.
Through the crowd presses another person seeking a miracle from Jesus. A woman who has been suffering from bleeding for 12 years. She believes that if only she could touch Jesus’ clothes, she could be healed. She has faith and she is determined to get to Jesus.
She makes it through the crowd, close enough that she can reach out and touch just the corner of Jesus’ garments. She is healed IMMEDIATELY.
Among the crowd no one even notices. No one except Jesus.
He knows that miraculous healing power has gone out from him, and he does what must have seemed like the un-thinkable to Jairus.
Jesus stops.
He takes precious moments to set her free from years of stigma and shame. Precious moments that had to be agonizing to Jairus.
Mark 5:35-36
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.”
In this moment, in the whirlwind of emotions that Jairus is going through, he has a choice.
He can give into anger at Jesus for not doing anything. He can allow resentment to fuel bitterness and in desperation he can walk away to be in his pain alone. He can believe the report of his peers “it’s no use to bother Jesus anymore. It’s over”
OR
He can believe Jesus words that faith is enough. Jairus can surrender his timing, his thoughts of how it all should have worked- he can lay that down, and choose to trust Jesus anyway.
Jairus had a choice, just like you and I do when God’s timing doesnt match our own.
Friends, Jairus chose to follow Jesus anyway.
Will you?