Monday after the Twelfth Sunday after Trinity Sunday
Posted on August 23, 2021 by under
Scripture: St. Mark 5:22-43 (NKJV)
5:22 And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet 23 and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.” 24 So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.
25 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. 28 For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”
29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?”
31 But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’”
32 And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”
35 While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”
36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” 37 And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 38 Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. 39 When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.”
40 And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. 41 Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. 43 But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.
Devotion
Jairus was one the rulers of the synagogue. As such, he would help with the day-to-day running of the synagogue. Even though most of the rulers would be opposed to Jesus, Jairus came to Him humbly, even falling at Jesus’ feet. His daughter was dying and he was begging for Jesus to heal her. In route to Jairus’ house, Jesus was interrupted by a woman who had suffered twelve years from a “flow of blood,” spending all her money on physicians who failed to help her condition. But the mere touch of Jesus’ garment brought her complete relief.
Just then came news that Jairus’ daughter had died. But much like the raising of Lazarus, this progression from deathly ill to death itself would only do more to convince the crowds that Jesus was the Son of God. And yet, Jesus “commanded them strictly that no one should know it,” so that the people would not get the impression He was only a “this world” God.
It is certainly proper that we ask Jesus for help and deliverance in time of hardship. He knows that we are people who are constantly in need of His provision for “daily bread,” which takes many forms. But let us never lose sight of His ultimate reason for coming, that He may provide us with deliverance from our prime affliction, that of eternal death.
Prayer: Almighty and Merciful God, of Whose only gift it cometh that Thy faithful people do unto Thee true and laudable service: Grant, we beseech Thee, that we may so faithfully serve Thee in this life, that we fail not finally to attain Thy heavenly promises; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
