Luke 9: 40-56

Amidst a crowd of waiting and expecting people, a synagogue ruler by the name of Jairus came to and fell at Jesus’ feet. He pleaded with him to come to his house because his only daughter, about 12 years old, was dying. What made Jairus think that out of all the people, Jesus would make special time to go to his house and cure his dying daughter? There are many such doubts that could have prevented Jairus from coming to Jesus. But here we see the desperation of a father who loves his daughter and faith that Jesus could save her. The other amazing thing is that Jesus actually went with him, despite of the crowd. He, just as much as Jairus, wanted this little girl to live. He wanted to protect and nurture Jairus’ faith in Jesus’ power.

However, along the way, a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up from behind Jesus and touched the edge of his cloak. She had tried all the medical remedies available but nothing worked. She had faith that even if she touched the edge of Jesus’ cloak, she would be healed. Clearly, she had faith that Jesus was divine, that he was able to heal her incurable disease. She came in secret, however, because she was considered a dirty person because of her disease. She did not want to shame herself, or Jesus. Her faith was rewarded – her bleeding stopped immediately. But Jesus knew that power had gone out of him and would not leave her to be healed in secret. He asked, “Who touched me?” This was an absurd question because in fact many people were touching him, a whole crowd of people. But her touch was different – it was a touch of faith, it was a touch of desperation for healing. Such touching has power to receive the healing power of Jesus. Jesus insisted on dealing with this woman to the end so he said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out form me.” Finally, the woman came forward and fell at Jesus’ feet, trembling. In front of everyone, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Why did Jesus make her do this difficult thing? Why couldn’t he just let her go secretly, as she wished? Wasn’t it enough that she had been healed? No. Jesus wanted her to really be clean, free from her infirmity in the sight of all people, both for her sake and for the glory of God. Her testimony was important for her to be completely free and also to realize the depth of God’s grace to her in front of everybody. Though it was the scariest thing for her, it was the necessary thing for full healing. And then Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” What words of encouragement and comfort to this woman. Probably no one called her daughter, let alone the Son of God. Jesus affirmed that it was her faith in Jesus that healed her. He granted her peace, peace that comes from freedom from physical and spiritual infirmity. She had been set free from her shame and was made into a child of the kingdom of God.

Meanwhile, Jairus was waiting. What an interlude! He probably was thinking, “Jesus, her faith is great and all, but didn’t I come first?” Every minute counted for Jairus because his daughter was dying. Moreover, at the moment that Jesus was still speaking with the bleeding woman, someone came and reported to Jairus that his daughter was dead. There was no point to bother the teacher anymore. What crushing news and such contrast to the words that Jesus had just spoken to the bleeding woman. In the sight of death, hope totally disintegrates. For sinners, death is the final word. It silences everything. At these words, Jairus could have walked off in utter dismay and disbelief. He could have gotten angry and Jesus and the woman for wasting his time. He could have collapsed in grief. But Jesus said to him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” The fact was, he was afraid. The fear that is associated with death is a real power. It overtakes you and makes you panic and anxious, without remedy. Jairus was prey to this power as soon as he heard the news. But Jesus had power over even the power of death; in him, there is no reason to be afraid. He is the same Jesus who said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me will live and never dies  and he who lives and believes in me will never die.” This same Jesus would die and rise again on the third day. All those who simply believe in his name can overcome the power of death too.

On coming to the house, there was already an environment of disbelief, loud wailing and mourning. Jesus brought in only Peter, James, and John, and the girl’s parents to create an atmosphere of faith. There is resurrection power in faith. Jesus said to the people, “Stop wailing. She is not dead but asleep.” To Jesus, death was nothing but sleep. They laughed at him but he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” Her spirit returned and at once she stood up. She had been raised to life. Jairus expected that Jesus would save his dying daughter, but Jesus demonstrated that he can do more than that. He is above death, and has the power to raise the dead to life.

This passage reveals the desperate and humble faith of these 2 people, Jairus and the bleeding woman. They were very different people, one a respectable leader in society and the other, the shame and dirt of society. But in light of their problem and in light of Jesus’ power, they were equal. They were helpless to their problem but they both had faith that Jesus could do something when no one or nothing else could. This is the faith that brought them desperately to Jesus, even overcoming the crowd. It seems that there should be many others in the crowd that came to Jesus with this heart and faith, but that’s not true. Jesus could recognize such desperate and humble faith and he honored it. Second, it reveals the power of faith in Jesus. Desire to come is not enough; we have to believe to the end. Both Jairus and the woman faced their biggest fear after coming to Jesus. Jairus’ daughter died and the woman had to be exposed. Why did Jesus do this to them? It is because he wanted their faith to grow even more that they might witness the true power of Jesus that was beyond their expectation. Jesus blesses our faith but he is not content with our faith. He always works to purify and strengthen it. Why? Because God works according to our faith. The greater our faith in God, the deeper we can experience his power. The only barrier to truly experiencing God is our own unbelief and fear. Jesus will do anything and everything, even bring tragedy and hardship that we might know him on this deeper level. He desires to completely free us from the power of fear and death and bring us into the glorious light of his kingdom.

I realize that many times, I come desperately to Jesus when my situation becomes hard, but I do not remain in faith. When I see the situation become worse, I give in to fear that comes from doubt. And it becomes a repetitive cycle in which I cannot actually grow in faith. I lose heart and strength to keep praying and seeking God. But through this passage, Jesus challenges me with the words, “Do not be afraid; just believe.” He does not want me to see anything about the situation or other people or myself, only Jesus. Believing that he is the resurrection and the life and that he indeed rose again on the third day, he wants me to overcome any fear and doubts and keep believing. My biggest fear is that I will live a fruitless and insignificant life before God, that I will fail in this race of faith, and be overcome by my sins and weaknesses and temptations of this world. Sometimes that fear is so strong that I want to give up now because I don’t have faith that I can overcome myself or I don’t have faith that I can truly live by faith to the end. Sometimes it feels too hard. This week, I had strong thoughts about why we couldn’t live in Toronto where Dani can enjoy the best facilities like a swimming pool and a big library and free education. Where there is no crazy heat and mosquitos, where the air and water are clean, and where I also can enjoy the company of my parents anytime. My heart was heavy thinking about our needless suffering here. I fear that all this cost is for nothing. But today in one of our family worship services, we read the words, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” I realized that it is not the place that is the issue; it is my heart. I have not been fixing my eyes and coming to Jesus to receive the words of eternal life. When I look at Jesus and eat his words again, I am convinced that Jesus himself is the treasure and place the my soul seeks, and he is sufficient for my every need and want. Because of Jesus, I am rich and do not lack anything. Because of Jesus, Dani is also rich because she is a child of the kingdom of God. I repent that I lost the words and joy of the eternal life from my heart. I cannot leave Jesus because I have nowhere else to go that will give me eternal life. I pray that my heart may seek the words of eternal life and go deeper and deeper into this world of faith in Jesus. I pray for the courage and strength to always pray and never give up. May God help me to overcome all obstacles with faith in the word of Jesus that is stronger than death that I may truly live a life that glorifies God. Amen.

“Don’t be afraid; just believe.“