100. Need
In this story Jesus is approached by Jairus, the leader of a synagogue. His 12-year old daughter is dying. Jesus agrees to go with him, but on the way he’s touched by a woman. Will it be too late for Jesus to make it to Jairus’ house?
Luke 8:40-42
On the other side of the lake the crowds welcomed Jesus, because they had been waiting for him. Then a man named Jairus, a leader of the local synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come home with him. His only daughter, who was about twelve years old, was dying.
As Jesus went with him, he was surrounded by the crowds.
Reflect
Jesus had returned back to the western shore of the Sea of Galilee – a huge inland lake – and people were waiting for him, including one of the leaders of the synagogue, a guy called Jairus. The name Jairus means ‘to shine a light on’ and by coincidence, Jairus wanted Jesus to shine a light on a desperate situation. Jairus’ 12-year old daughter was dying and he fell at Jesus’ feet and begged Jesus to go with him. And Jesus agreed to do just that.
The first thing that strikes me in this story is that Jairus had humility. He was an important person, a ruler in the synagogue and an official, and yet he threw himself at the feet of Jesus. He didn’t care what people thought of him, their opinions didn’t matter. All he cared about was his daughter. By getting on his knees and pleading, Jairus was showing Jesus that he believed Jesus to be more important and powerful. Jairus believed that Jesus was the ‘anointed one’ sent from God; the Messiah.
Sometimes, as Christians, if we put Jesus first, ahead of ourselves, then we run the risk of humiliating ourselves in front of others. People might think we’re stupid, mislead, of lower intellect, or somehow needing a ‘crutch’ to lean on. Christians being mocked isn’t a new thing. Graffiti was found in Rome dating from the 1st – 3rd century. It’s a drawing of a Donkey on a cross with the Greek inscription, “Alexamenos worships his God”. Kids could be cruel then too.
The question is, like Jairus, are we ready to give all that we are for all that He is? Are we ready to humble ourselves, look stupid, and fall on our knees before Jesus?
Do
Today, give yourself to God again. Tell him that you’ll follow him no matter what your friends, family or anyone else thinks.
Pray
Holy God
I give myself to you and fall at your feet,
proclaiming that you are Lord.
Take my life and let it be set aside for you;
my time, my will, my heart and my devotion.
This day and forever.
Amen.
Think
Why do you think that people feel the need to mock Christians about their faith in Jesus?