An Interrupted Need

“Raising of Jairus' Daughter”,The State Russian Museum, St. Petersburg

Pastor David Grice of the Lighthouse Baptist Church in Grand Prairie, Texas, delivered the sermon this weekend for our Anniversary Sunday. He preached from Mark 5 on the topic from verse 36.

He covered so much, giving the story from Jairus’ point of view.  How would the father of a dying child respond to interruptions?

You see, we all live interrupted lives.  From Mark 5:22, the story should have been about Christ healing a sick child, but it’s not.  We all remember the father, a religious leader, coming to Jesus in desperation.  That’s an entire sermon in itself.  Jairus’ religion did not help him.  A life of goodness and of caring could not help, neither could the prayers of the faithful.  His child was dying and he reached out to Jesus.

Enter the interruption – a woman with issues.  How many of us have been interrupted in our lives by a woman with issues?  For most of us, that woman is ourselves.  Do we ever place ourselves in that woman’s position, knowing that if we could but reach out and touch our Lord that He would heal?  Or do we gather our issues about us and use them to build strong walls to keep us separate?  She reached out – He knew, spoke with her, Mark wrote;

And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. (Mark 5:34 KJV)

Bro. Grice gave us colorful descriptions of how Jairus must have taken this interruption.  Can you imagine?  He had forced himself through the crowd until he reached Jesus.  He had convinced Jesus to follow him, was wending his way back to his loved daughter, anxious for her health, when Jesus stopped.  Then talked to the woman!!  Took care of  her issues.  Then, it was to late, according to the very next verse:

While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? (Mark 5:35 KJV)

Done.  Over.  No opportunity for healing.  No child waiting at home. Wait, the crux of the matter is in the next verse:

As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. (Mark 5:36 KJV)

Can we do that?  Be not afraid, only believe.    Oh, Lord, would that we could do both of those at the same time!!  We just read what that meant for the woman with issues.  She overcame her fear, believed that touching His hem would provide healing.  She was not afraid to reach out for Jesus.  She believed.

So did Jarius.  He returned to his home with the Lord accompanying him, confirmed with those weeping and wailing that his child had died. But he remained unafraid to reach out for Jesus.  He believed.

And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. (Mark 5:42 KJV)

If you think I’m telling you that if you pray Jesus will heal your illness or raise your dead, that is not true.  Those miracles He personally performed here while He was with us.  However, I do believe miracles do occur – more than that, I do believe He will return.  Between now and His return we are to Be not afraid, only believe. Do not be concerned about the interruptions.

I do have more notes from this sermon!  You would have done well to have heard it preached. At least you are able to listen to it, or download from our church website.  It is listed as:  05-01-11 Sunday AM Anniversary Service - David Grice - Only believe.mp3