Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed Him, for they were all expecting Him. Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with Him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.
As Jesus was on His way, the crowds almost crushed Him… While Jesus was still speaking [to the woman with the issue of blood], someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.” hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” (Luke 8:40-56, NIV)
“Jesus, help me!”
Jairus kept crying out, “Jesus, help me!” - I can imagine that he was holding onto the feet of Jesus, and as He is trying to walk, this man is pleading, “I’m not going to let go until You help me. My daughter is dying, Jesus, please heal her! If You would just come to my house and lay Your hands on her, I know she will live. One touch from You and a miracle will happen!” - I wish we had this same faith today. If Jesus was walking through your town today, would you push your way through the crowd, would you plead until He answered?
The trouble is, because of the crowd, Jesus wasn’t able to reach the house quickly. When He set off, so many people were crowding around Him, and then an older woman came, demanding help. While Jesus was still dealing with this woman who had the issue of blood, representatives came from Jairus’ house saying, “It’s too late, don’t trouble Jesus anymore, your daughter is dead.” All hope was lost. “Jesus, don’t bother coming now; You took too long.” What good is a healing when the girl is dead?
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 16:26)
There is no miracle of healing required now. It is too late. That is exactly the position so many people are in today. ‘It is impossible; there is no point bothering Jesus anymore.’ If I tell you that God loves you; if I tell you that God can forgive every sin, would you believe me? In the minds of so many are the thoughts, ‘It is impossible, I’ve been like this all my life; I’m too old, how can God change me? How can God forgive my sin? I’ve been an alcoholic all my life; I struggle with so many addictions; why would God love me when no one else does?’ But I’ve seen God change people’s lives. I know the depth and breadth of God’s love.
“Whom the Son sets free is free indeed” (John 8:26)
Don’t fool yourself, you can’t free yourself from your addiction. You can’t get rid of your sin by your own efforts. God loves you so much that He sent His Son into the world to die; but not to die for ‘good’ people, He died for the sinner, for those who realise their need of Him. Jesus said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor, sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” The church is not for the good and righteous, but for the sinner, the outcast, the lonely. God sent His Son into the world to save sinners.
‘Another Touch’ used by kind permission of www.vinesong.com