Mark 5:21 -24 – Overcoming obstacles

Great throng of people continued to come to Jesus when He crossed to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. He had healed so many on the Sabbath and had offended the Pharisees, such that He was cut off from the synagogue. As a result He only ministered on the open hillsides and seashore.

We are told that Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and sought Jesus where He was. He came and fell at the Lord’s feet, and beseeched Him to follow him home to lay hand on his 12-year old daughter who was sick and lying in bed, near death. The word he said to Jesus suggested that He was confident that he Lord could heal his dying daughter.  

Being a key personnel of the governing board of the synagogue, it must have been difficult for him to take that bold step of coming to Jesus. His position in the synagogue was a hindrance that could have prevented him from coming to Jesus. But his overpowering love for his 12-year old daughter and the fear of losing her, impelled him to approach Jesus. This found him coming to Jesus desperately. He had to set aside his pride, prejudice, shame and even embarrassment, because He had a great need.

Notice how immediately Jesus responded to the call of help. He didn’t even consider how Jairus and his board members of the synagogue had treated Him. He didn’t take on a tit-for-tat attitude. He just followed Jairus, with the large crowd following and pressing in on Him. At this point, this account was interrupted by the need of another person, a woman with an issue of blood.

What lessons can we glean from this preliminary background information concerning Jairus’ and his daughter? Here we can see two things: The willing response of the Lord when called upon in time of our need. It also shows us the kind of attitude we need to adopt when we come to the Lord. The Lord is ever so willing to meet us whenever we have needs, but we must be prepared to lay aside our pride, prejudice, shame and even embarrassment, in order to connect with Him.

Let’s be confident and draw near to the Lord regardless of the magnitude of our needs. But we need to set aside all the human considerations, the pride, prejudice and embarrassments, and shamelessly approach Him!