While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house,
saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. But when Jesus heard it, he
answered him, saying, Fear not; believe only, and she shall be made whole (Lk. 8:49,50).
One can realize the anxiety of Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue.
There lay his only child dying, with the precious moments inexorably ticking away. Jesus
comes with him, in answer to his earnest pleading, but is held up by this woman with her
trouble. Not only so, but now Jesus, apparently quite needlessly, in Jairus’
judgment, tarries to ask who it is that touched Him. And all this while the procession is
stopped, while the woman is discovered, and while at length she tells her story in detail.
It requires no imagination to picture to one’s self the poor father’s increasing
agitation. "Why, oh why, does He tarry so, when my daughter is dying? He can always
heal this sick woman, she is not in a serious condition, but my daughter must have
immediate help, or it will be too late." And then, like a bomb shell, comes the very
news the distracted father had feared; the sad news that his daughter has died. No use to
bother the Master any further now.
How often have the saints of God fretted and wondered when sorrow came,
when disaster threatened,and yet no answer to their anxious cries. Why does He tarry when
we need Him so desperately? Oh, hearken to those sweet words from the Savior's lips:
"Fear not; believe only, and she shall be made whole." Jairus was let down to
the depths of despair and sorrow that he might be lifted to the height of bliss and joy.
Do not fear, dear Christian, when your prayers seem to go unanswered.
He has something better in store for you. Oftentimes someone far less in need than you are
gets his prayer answered soon, but you wait and wait. You think that maybe He is
neglecting or punishing you. Remember that Jesus could have healed this girl without going
to her house at all, as He did under other circumstances. But He chose another way; all
His ways are perfect, and suited to the purpose He has in view.
What a thrill those parents got when their daughter arose from that
couch. How they must have blessed Him for delaying His coming, so that they might not
merely have their girl healed, but be witnesses to the far greater wonder of her
restoration to life. They lost much when she died, but they gained infinitely more when
she lived again. In everyday life, how we often lose the thrill of His grace and power by
seeking to avoid the trial and ordeal which makes Him known to us in all the fullness of
His love.