I. The Example of Faith: Jairus' Faith (Mark 5:22-23)
“And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet 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.””(Mark 5:22-23)
Jairus, a synagogue leader, held a significant position, overseeing worship services, managing the affairs of the Jewish community, and safeguarding their faith. Despite his status, he humbly set aside societal opinions and demonstrated his faith in Jesus by earnestly seeking His help.
II. The Example of Discernment: Jesus Drives Out the Crowd (Mark 5:36-39)
“As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw ]a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.””(Mark 5:35-39)
We are greatly influenced by our surroundings. The ridicule or disbelief of others can easily lead us to make wrong judgments, speak inappropriately, or act incorrectly. Negative environments can become significant obstacles in our life of faith.
Before performing the miracle, Jesus drove out the crowd, leaving only those with faith: Peter, James, John, Jairus, and Jairus' wife. These individuals, united in faith, could contribute to the little girl’s restoration.
Conversely, those without faith only weaken our trust in God and bring no benefit. Jesus’ decision to “leave only those with faith” behind serves as a valuable lesson for all believing parents.
Unedifying words or negative influences often arise from those closest to us, including weak family members. Therefore, we must exercise discernment and wisdom in what we hear and see in our daily lives, guarding our faith diligently.
III. Jairus’ Faith in Jesus Was Evident in the Following Ways:
- Jairus Set Aside His Status for His Daughter
For the sake of his daughter, Jairus set aside his religious status and position, humbly kneeling before Jesus three times. His unwavering faith was rewarded with a positive response: Jesus went with him (Mark 5:24). - Believing Jesus is the Light in the Darkness
Amidst the chaotic crowd, Jesus remained calm and steady, a guiding light in the darkness. At a critical moment when Jairus was deeply worried about his daughter’s life, he chose to silently follow Jesus and wait patiently for salvation.
When faced with disorder and uncertainty, we must learn from Jesus’ calmness and steadiness to gain strength (Isaiah 30:15).
For example, in choir service, maintaining a calm and peaceful heart allows us to focus on preparing our hymns. Anxiety and restlessness will yield no benefit, but calmness leads to a meaningful offering.
IV. Revelation: The Resurrection of Jairus’ Daughter Was Part of Jesus’ Plan
Through this event, Jesus taught Jairus that God is omniscient, omnipotent, and sovereign. Everything—people, events, and circumstances—is under His perfect control.
When we feel the distance on the fulfilment of our prayers, we must learn to remain calm and steady. In calmness and steadiness, we find the strength to wait upon God and trust in His timing.