Focal passage: Mark 5:22-24, 35-43
The practice of medicine has always been a marvel. I love the redemptive process of taking something that’s broken or hurting and watching it be restored. It’s also incredible to see how the body contains mechanisms to heal itself with little to no help.
Despite being fearfully and wonderfully made, our bodies possess many weaknesses, and there are circumstances when doctors and pharmacists don’t have answers to our ailments. Many of us can relate to a time when a loved one was ill and we felt powerless to provide what he or she needed.
Jairus was a synagogue leader when Jesus was living out His ministry. His young daughter was dying and neither his position nor status could save her. However, Jairus had heard of someone who could. “When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He pleaded earnestly with him, ‘My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live’” (Mark 5:22-24).
After an interruption from a woman who also needed healing, Jesus followed Jairus to his home.
By this time his daughter had died, her family and friends were mourning her passing, and everyone told Jairus that it was too late. But Jesus encouraged Jairus to have faith.
In the last few verses of Mark 5 Jesus miraculously healed the young girl proving He had authority over death even before His own resurrection occurred.
Through Jairus’ experience we can affirm that nothing is too insignificant or too challenging for Jesus. He meets us where we are when we come to Him (James 4:8) and is always trustworthy despite the obstacles we face on this side of Heaven. We can have hope beyond medicine, beyond our own abilities, and beyond the grave because Jesus has authority over everything.
After all, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:26).