We Have Hope When We Have Jesus
While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples …
When Jesus entered the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd, he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. News of this spread through all that region. (Matthew 9:18–19, 23–26)
In these verses we experience Jesus the Healer. Jairus, the synagogue ruler whose daughter had just died, and the woman with the issue of blood, both humbly approach the Master, hopeful in the God of all hope to heal. Both of the situations of these two supplicants were completely beyond the powers of nature. And yet, they were both well within the power of Jesus.
It is interesting that the age of Jairus’ daughter and the woman’s duration of hemorrhaging had both been twelve years. In reading the other gospel accounts of this same passage, one can clearly see the hopelessness of both situations. Those not possessing the hope of nature can possess the hope of Jesus! As I read these accounts of suffering, I am reminded of Paul’s words:
–Michael Youssef
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
This passage begins with Jairus approaching Jesus, kneeling before Him, humbly requesting Jesus to come heal his. This incident, I’m sure, had shattered his family, and had sent this ruler straight to the Shepherd who ever lovingly tends His sheep. All things in our life should drive us to the feet of Jesus! We see here that the Savior’s job description not only included preaching truth, but producing the good work of healing and binding up the brokenhearted as well. We discover in Isaiah:
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD‘s favor. (Isaiah 61:1–2)
Acquiescing to the ruler’s request, Jesus begins His journey to Jairus’ home. Jesus’ readiness to help this man is evident as He immediately rises and goes with him, not only willing to grant his request, but even being willing to go to his home to fulfill it. Those who seek Jesus never seek Him in vain!
–Thomas Aquinas
The mourners had already gathered. Many had come together to grieve the loss and comfort the parents in their distress. Jesus rebukes the noisy crowd with His words, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” He is unhindered by their mocking and leaving the crowds outside. Jesus goes in and does what only He can do; immediately raising the child to life again with but a word. She was dead to the world but alive to Christ who knew within Himself what He would and could do. Amazing!
Take It to Heart
Jesus is the Help of the helpless, the Hope of the hopeless.
