AN INTERRUPTING BLESSING

"While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. `Your daughter is dead,' they said. `Why bother the teacher any more?' Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, `Don't be afraid; just believe'" (Mark 5:35-36, NIV).

The story of the raising of Jairus' daughter from the dead as recorded by two of the Gospel writers (Mark 5 and Luke 8) is a fascinating one. Jesus had just crossed over the lake from where he was rejected because He healed a demon-possessed man when a large crowd of people gathered around Him. Among these people was a synagogue ruler who came to beg Jesus to come and heal his dying daughter. The man had faith that Jesus could rescue his daughter from the looming death. Jesus did not hesitate in following him to go and save the daughter. The other aimless crowd also followed them.

As they were going, there was an interruption: a woman with a flow of blood intercepted Jesus and received her healing from the twelve-year- long problem. The dialogue that followed made Jesus to wait more before He could go to where He intended to go and rescue the dying child.

Alas, as they were there discussing about the faith of the healed woman, somebody came from Jairus' house to disclose the sad news: the child had died. There was no need to bother Jesus. The news bearer reasoned. What would have been the reaction of Jairus?>>more