Luke 8:49-53 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," he said. "Don't bother the teacher any more." Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed." When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child's father and mother. Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. "Stop wailing," Jesus said. "She is not dead but asleep." They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. (NIV)
The synagogue ruler had come begging Jesus to save his daughter's life. The circumstances of the day, a dense crowd of people blocking the way and a woman who wanted healing, had delayed the journey back to Jairus' house. Then the news came that his daughter had died. "Don't bother the Teacher any more", they said. It was too late, nothing could be done, and the child's life had gone. But Jesus knew differently and continued the walk to Jairus house. On arrival, the sound of wailing filled the air and the mourners added to the crowd around Jesus.
"Stop all that noise!" Jesus said, "She is not dead but asleep". Instantly, the mood changed from grief to ridicule. From being the wise teacher, Jesus was now considered as foolish and ignorant. The crowd knew better than Him. They had the evidence, and He was just speaking words. However, as we shall see, the words of Jesus would be much more powerful than the evidence of a lifeless corpse. But the Saviour was not seeking crowd-approval; just their silence, for their faithlessness could add nothing. It was Jairus who had been challenged to believe - not even the disciples believed; only three of them were called into the house to act as witnesses.
'Knowing better than God' is at the core of our sinful nature. We can always find evidence to prove that we are right, even when we are wrong! Because we cannot know the future, we usually predict the future on the basis of our past experience. We do not allow the possibility that God will change the course of our present circumstances. But we are called to better things! He has the power to change anything that is outside of His will. So He asks us to put our faith in Him, to believe His promises and to live in the confidence that He is in control of the future: because His Word is all-mighty. Many will discourage us from doing so, but it is only the Lord's voice we need to hear above the din of worldly hopelessness.
Prayer: Dear Lord of power and might. Thank You for being God! Thank You that I am not doomed to live without hope and die without Christ, for He has called me to trust in Him. Please forgive me when I assume the worst because I have not believed Your Word, committed my circumstances into Your hands or believed that You have abandoned me. Thank You for the many promises in Your Word which assure me that You do not leave me, and that You will hear and answer my prayers. Help me to trust You; even when the world, the flesh and the devil are screaming at me to give up: because I know You will always keep Your Word. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
The synagogue ruler had come begging Jesus to save his daughter's life. The circumstances of the day, a dense crowd of people blocking the way and a woman who wanted healing, had delayed the journey back to Jairus' house. Then the news came that his daughter had died. "Don't bother the Teacher any more", they said. It was too late, nothing could be done, and the child's life had gone. But Jesus knew differently and continued the walk to Jairus house. On arrival, the sound of wailing filled the air and the mourners added to the crowd around Jesus.
"Stop all that noise!" Jesus said, "She is not dead but asleep". Instantly, the mood changed from grief to ridicule. From being the wise teacher, Jesus was now considered as foolish and ignorant. The crowd knew better than Him. They had the evidence, and He was just speaking words. However, as we shall see, the words of Jesus would be much more powerful than the evidence of a lifeless corpse. But the Saviour was not seeking crowd-approval; just their silence, for their faithlessness could add nothing. It was Jairus who had been challenged to believe - not even the disciples believed; only three of them were called into the house to act as witnesses.
'Knowing better than God' is at the core of our sinful nature. We can always find evidence to prove that we are right, even when we are wrong! Because we cannot know the future, we usually predict the future on the basis of our past experience. We do not allow the possibility that God will change the course of our present circumstances. But we are called to better things! He has the power to change anything that is outside of His will. So He asks us to put our faith in Him, to believe His promises and to live in the confidence that He is in control of the future: because His Word is all-mighty. Many will discourage us from doing so, but it is only the Lord's voice we need to hear above the din of worldly hopelessness.
Prayer: Dear Lord of power and might. Thank You for being God! Thank You that I am not doomed to live without hope and die without Christ, for He has called me to trust in Him. Please forgive me when I assume the worst because I have not believed Your Word, committed my circumstances into Your hands or believed that You have abandoned me. Thank You for the many promises in Your Word which assure me that You do not leave me, and that You will hear and answer my prayers. Help me to trust You; even when the world, the flesh and the devil are screaming at me to give up: because I know You will always keep Your Word. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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