Jairus is the leader of the synagogue, the most important man in the community. Yet he would trade the whole package of privileges for just one assurance—that his daughter will live. The Jairus in this story is a blind man begging for a gift. He fell at Jesus’ feet, “saying again and again, ‘My daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so she will be healed and will live’” (Mark 5:23 NCV).
But before Jesus and Jairus get very far, emissaries from Jairus’s house arrive, saying the daughter is dead. Jesus immediately turns to Jairus: “Don’t be afraid; just believe” (v. 36). He is asking Jairus to make a choice. When tragedy strikes we, too, are left to choose what we see: either the hurt or the Healer. Jairus made his choice. He opted for faith and Jesus. May we do likewise.
