Greetings to you in the name of the One who grants us access to the God’s throne-room, Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! What a beautiful morning that God has given to us to enjoy and thank Him for. I trust that you have had a week of knowing that God is involved and present in all aspects of your life…and that He believes in and cares for – you! Today I will be praying for you, asking Father to respond to the hunger and thirst within you for meaning and purpose and security. I am looking forward to gathering with the ‘saints’ this weekend and seeing you.
I have been looking at an incident in the life of Jesus as recorded by Mark. There is a church leader, Jairus, who comes to Jesus because his daughter is critically ill and he believes that Jesus might be able to help. Jairus has persuaded Jesus to come to his house … and while they are getting ready to go, a servant from Jairus’ household comes to tell him that his daughter has died – so leave Jesus alone…why bother the teacher anymore? Mark 5:35 NIV….or ‘no point in Jesus’ coming now’ Mark 5:35 LB…or ‘no use troubling the Teacher now’ Mark 5:35 LB. – ‘Don’t bother’ – ‘no point’ – ‘no use troubling’ … no hope, nothing to be done, it is hopeless, and we are helpless — the modern term might be ‘whatever’.
Yet, you know the story…Jesus tells Jairus – “Don’t be afraid. Just believe” – and sure enough, Jesus goes to the home and heals the little girl because Jesus can do, did, and still does what no one else can. Jesus belongs in a category that belongs only to him that cannot be explained or defined.
We can get excited about those kinds of stories as long as it is someone else but we seem to have a bit of difficulty when we feel is a desperate situation and sense the helplessness of not knowing where to turn to. How many times…be honest now…have we looked at what is challenging our faith and said, “whatever! – no use bothering Jesus – no point in Jesus coming at this point – no use troubling Him”?
But this story tells me that Jesus is waiting for us to interrupt him, to tap him on the shoulder, to say ‘ahem’ and get his attention. When we do that he turns to us and waits for our request…as hopeless and helpless and desperate as it may seem. But be prepared for Jesus to look us in the eye and say – “Don’t be afraid. Just believe….I can be bothered!” Augustine said: “Miracles are not in contradiction to nature. They are only in contradiction with what we know of nature.” Scripture tells us that Jesus created the natural world and as such is in control of it.
Something to ponder – have a great weekend..,enjoy His blessings!