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As the elected leader of the local synagogue, Jairus was likely responsible for supervising worship, running the weekly school, and caring for the building. Since many synagogue rulers had close ties with the Pharisees, it's probable that Jairus had been pressured to withhold support from Jesus. So bowing before Him was a significant, perhaps daring, act of respect.

Mark 5:21-24,Mark 5:35-43

1. Jairus knew his situation to be desperate. When have you been in a similar situation?
2. How do you think Jairus felt about the diversion (vv. 25-35a) created by the woman with the hemorrhage?
3. Was the messengers' comment about not bothering the rabbi logical?
4. Jairus was of course devastated by their news. But why do you think Jesus told him "Don't be afraid"?
5. In what sense is fear—rather than unbelief—the opposite of trust?
6. How was Jairus's continued trust tested by the mourning ritual already underway at his home?
7. How did Jairus and his wife respond to the vindication of their trust? How have you responded?

Ask God for the discernment to not misplace your trust, and for calm endurance as you await God's outcome for your circumstances.

21 Jesus got into the boat again and went back to the other side of the lake, where a large crowd gathered around him on the shore. 22 Then a leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, arrived. When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet, 23 pleading fervently with him. "My little daughter is dying," he said. "Please come and lay your hands on her; heal her so she can live." 24 Jesus went with him, and all the people followed, crowding around him.

35 While he was still speaking to her, messengers arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. They told him, "Your daughter is dead. There's no use troubling the Teacher now." 36 But Jesus overheard[a] them and said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid. Just have faith." 37 Then Jesus stopped the crowd and wouldn't let anyone go with him except Peter, James, and John (the brother of James).

38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw much commotion and weeping and wailing. 39 He went inside and asked, "Why all this commotion and weeping? The child isn't dead; she's only asleep." 40 The crowd laughed at him. But he made them all leave, and he took the girl's father and mother and his three disciples into the room where the girl was lying.

41 Holding her hand, he said to her, "Talitha koum," which means "Little girl, get up!" 42 And the girl, who was twelve years old, immediately stood up and walked around! They were overwhelmed and totally amazed. 43 Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell anyone what had happened, and then he told them to give her something to eat.

Copyright © 2006 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Lord, You've never let me down in my past. So help me to really rely on You for my present and future.

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