The Faith of Jairus

The story has two ladies Jairus’ daughter, who had died at age 12, and the woman who had the issue of blood for 12 years.

Jairus’ daughter lived for 12 years, then died suddenly, while this woman was dying for 12 years. Twelve years of a living death very ill, an indescripable pain, a filthy and shameful condition, one that is just disheartening to think of.

Jairus, a ruler a man with a heavy title comes to Christ, begging Him to heal his daughter. He strips himself of his dignity to ask a favour for her. And then, while he’s still with the Master, the news comes: it’s too late. He should stop bothering the Master. But Christ comforts him, tells him not to worry, only to believe.

“Believe? Christ? What do you mean? Where do I get that faith from? She is dead! I do not know anything worse than that. I have not seen anyone come from that, and this has happened to my beloved daughter” Jairus must have thought. He is crushed, but it was important that he had faith, lest that resurrection would not have happened.

So, they set off to Jairus’ house. At this point, I can’t imagine what’s going on in Jairus’ mind. But all of a sudden, Christ out of nowhere, in a crowd pressing so hard against Him that they were almost suffocating Him exclaims, “Who has touched me?”

Peter, always quick to speak (but not always to think), blurts out, “All this multitude, Lord, how ask ye, ‘Who touched me?’”

Christ ignores him and asks again because He knows exactly what He means. He can differentiate between a casual brush and a touch of faith. Many times we brush shoulder with Christ but we do not touch him in deed, we profess him but sadly, do not believe in him…back to the story…

The woman comes forth and spills the beans. All this time, Jairus is watching and listening. He hears of a worse, more pathetic condition than his daughter’s, and he can’t help but marvel. Christ sends off this woman with words of comfort:

“…Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.”

Oh! What a wonder!

They later proceed to Jairus’ house, where his daughter is resurrected. But guess what? The daughter is resurrected because Jairus’ faith was increased by Christ and made full.

Christ knew Jairus did not have enough faith, but providence had it that another woman had endured pain for twelve years, furthermore; suffered many things from many physicians, just so, that one man’s faith could be increased! When Jairus daughter was being born God foresaw her misfortune he orchestrated a divine providence that is rather humiliating and devastating. At the expense of another’s comfort he saw it more important that Jairus’ faith may be established in him. That faith was far more important than the shame and the agony this woman endured but don’t get me wrong at the end of the day this woman despite her shame receives a more excellent name than she could have had. Christ calls her daughter as one who is a partaker of his sufferings. Christ closely relates to her and you can almost here his joy” well done, good and faithful servant!” Philippians 1:29 (KJV) For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

How important must faith be, brethren?

But more importantly, what blows my mind is this very thing: that Christ is the author and finisher of our faith. He authored the faith of Lazarus and finished it. The interruption of the woman was necessary very necessary for Jairus. It was his turning point.

Yes, I know faith is the part we have to play in this salvation plan but it is still God who works in us, both to will and to do of His good pleasure. How excellent is His name!

So, I beseech thee, therefore, brethren:

“Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”

Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”