He stood in the doorway of the bed chamber experiencing the worst crisis in his life. He felt trapped and helpless. He had been a leader in Capernaum’s synagogue for many years. He had counseled with families in similar crises, and when speaking with them, the words had come so easily. Now he was facing his own crisis, and words failed him. The faith he had encouraged in the other families now eluded him. He had nowhere to turn, and he didn’t know what to do.
He watched as his wife sat by the bedside of their only daughter. His wife spoke softly to their sick child as she kept a cool, wet cloth pressed to the burning hot forehead. What started as a simple cold quickly turned into a fiery fever that would not loosen its grip.
As a ruler in the synagogue, he had the means necessary to pay for the best medical care. But the doctors that came and went were baffled by what had taken hold of his daughter. As Jairus stood there watching the shallow breathing of his daughter and the tears of his wife, he broke down himself and quickly left the room.
Jairus stood in the quiet courtyard, his eyes heavenward wondering why God had been so silent. Jairus had served faithfully in the synagogue for years. He had been a model Jewish leader and faithful citizen in Capernaum. Where was God? Why would He not heal his precious daughter? She was only 12 years old. She had her whole life ahead of her. Jairus fell to his knees at the thought of losing the light of his life. There were no words. Only overwhelming grief.
Jairus heard footsteps behind him. He turned to see his steward hastening toward him.
“Master,” the steward whispered, “Jesus has just returned. He is on the other side of the city talking to the people down by the sea where the boats are docked.”
Jairus jumped to his feet and said, “I’m going to find Him and bring Him here. Don’t say anything to anyone while I’m gone.” The steward nodded. Jairus quickly and quietly left his home and headed to seashore.
As he walked through the crowded city streets, Jairus thought how crazy he was to put the life of his only daughter into the hands of an itinerant rabbi who wasn’t even connected with a synagogue. What would his fellow leaders think of him if they knew he was desperate enough to find the so called “healer of Nazareth”? He realized he didn’t care what they thought. He only cared about his daughter.
As Jairus reached the south side of the city, he saw the large crowd down by the seashore. He headed for the crowd because he knew that Jesus would be right in the middle of it. He had difficulty squeezing through the crowd, but he kept pushing forward, the image of his dying daughter propelling him.
“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 knelt there in the dirt realizing that Jesus had not received fair treatment from the Jewish leaders in any part of Israel. He knew that asking Jesus to help him, one of the Capernaum leaders, was a risk. But it was a risk he had to take. Jesus had every right to refuse him.
Jairus felt strong arms raising him to his feet. Once standing, he was face-to-face with Jesus. There was no anger there, no bitterness. Only sparkling eyes filled with kindness, and a smile that electrified the air.
“I would be happy to help your daughter,” Jesus said. “Please lead the way.”
“So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.” (Mark 5:24)
Jairus was elated. His daughter would soon be well, and she would be back to playing and laughing and doing all the things 12-year-old girls do. He could not get home fast enough. If only the multitude of people following Jesus would make a path so they could speed to his house.
Suddenly, the crowd stopped. Jairus turned around and saw Jesus several steps behind him talking with a woman. No! Jairus thought, We don’t have time to lose. My little girl is dying. Can’t Jesus talk to people after He has healed my daughter?
Jairus continued to watch in amazed impatience as Jesus interacted with a woman who was on her knees crying. Jesus was taking such care with her. Jairus was mesmerized by the kindness and tenderness of Jesus.
When it looked as though Jesus was just about finished speaking with the woman, Jairus’ steward came pushing through the crowd.
The steward said, "'Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?’” (Mark 5:35)
Jairus felt his heart break and his knees give way. As he tumbled to the ground, he once again felt strong arms surround him and help him back on his feet.
Jesus said, "'Do not be afraid; only believe.’” (Mark 5:36)
Dazed, Jairus once again led the way toward his home. He had no idea why Jesus was following him there. His daughter was dead. The light of his heart had gone out. Jesus was no longer needed. And yet Jesus still came.
When reached Jairus’ home, the mourners were already there wailing loudly. Jairus watched as Jesus spoke with His close followers. As Jesus turned toward the house, only three of His followers joined Him. The rest remained in the street.
Jesus gently indicated that they should go into the house. Jairus numbly led the way.
As they pushed through the mourners and entered the house, Jesus said to those gathered there, "'Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping’” 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.” (Mark 5:39-40)
Once again, Jairus stood in the doorway of the bed chamber, this time watching Jesus. His daughter looked so pale and lifeless. Jairus didn’t know if he could take another breath.
“Then [Jesus] took the child by the hand, and said to her, ‘Talitha, cumi,’ which is translated, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise.’” (Mark 5:41)
Immediately, his daughter opened her eyes and yawned. She sat up surprised when she saw all the strange people by her bed. Jairus ran to his daughter’s bedside, pausing by Jesus just long enough to whisper “Thank you!”
Jairus and his wife hugged and kissed their daughter over and over. Then Jairus felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Jesus standing there with tears running down His face beaming from ear to ear.
Jesus said, “Why don’t we get your daughter something to eat. I’m sure she’s quite hungry.”
“Of course,” Jairus said jumping to his feet. His steward stood at the ready waiting for instructions. But Jairus wanted to do this himself. He went into the kitchen and grabbed whatever bread, fruit, and cheese he could find and took it to the large eating table. He invited Jesus and his friends to stay. They gladly accepted.
As Jairus raised his eyes and hands toward heaven in thanksgiving for all the bounty he had received that day, he looked over at Jesus and knew his life would never be the same again. And that was a good thing.
Jairus faced an almost unbearable crisis, which went from bad to worse. Even while he was connecting with Jesus for a resolution of the problem, all hope disappeared. But Jesus never gave up on Jairus, and He wouldn’t let Jairus give up either. As Jairus clung to Jesus, Jesus took a horrible situation and by the power of His word brought joy, peace, and laughter back into Jairus’ life and heart.
“Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)
This is why Binding Broken Hearts is passionate about getting God’s Word into prisons and into the hands of inmates who so desperately need it so they can know the Word has the power to turn the darkest situations into reasons for joy. Because these are men and women who need Jesus most.
Perhaps you want to help spread the power of His Word to an inmate who desperately needs its power. If so, please consider becoming a financial partner with us. Click here to see how you can help.