Jairus was one of the leaders of the synagogue. It's possible it was Jairus' own synagogue in which Jesus stood up in front of the congregation, challenged the synagogue leaders, and then healed a man with a withered hand (Mk 3:1ff). After this episode, some synagogue leaders plotted to destroy Jesus (Mk 3:6).
Jairus knew the healing power of Jesus, and his daughter was dying (Mk 5:23). Jairus also had a reputation to uphold. If Jairus were to go to Jesus and seek his daughter's healing, he might lose his standing in the synagogue, or perhaps even risk expulsion (see Jn 9:22). What if Jairus went to Jesus and then Jesus didn't heal his daughter? He'd have a dead daughter, and could have been laughed out of the synagogue as well.
Jairus decided to risk everything out of faith in Jesus. Though some officials went to Jesus in secret (see Jn 3:2), Jairus openly went to Jesus and "fell at His feet" (Mk 5:22). He publicly acknowledged Jesus' superiority and his own humility. Jairus received his daughter back from the dead (Mk 5:41ff). His family was made one in Christ, united in faith.
What about you? What would you have to risk to follow Jesus completely? Could you take the leap of faith and risk it all for the greater reward of what Jesus has for you? Be a Jairus. Decide to follow Jesus, and then hold nothing back.
| PRAYER: | Jesus, take my hand and lead me into a new dimension of risen life (Mk 5:41). I will follow wherever You lead. |
| PROMISE: | "Fear is useless. What is needed is trust." –Mk 5:36 |
| PRAISE: | St. John Bosco trusted that, with God's help, he could reach even the most seemingly hopeless. Many of the poor boys whom John reached became priests. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College