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March 6 | Mark 5:21-24, 35-43


DAILY READING


REFLECTION

 

Just Believe

By Terry Gustafson


Today’s reading, the story of raising Jairus’ daughter, is also found in the Gospels of Matthew (9:18-26) and Luke (8:40-56). The setting of the story is that Jesus has just returned to the west side of the Lake of Galilee, likely near Capernaum. He has a large crowd around Him as He teaches. And then He is interrupted ...


Jairus’ Posture. Jairus is identified as “one of the synagogue rulers,” a respected member of the community. We are not told how Jairus came to know about Jesus. Perhaps he had heard Jesus speak in the synagogue at Capernaum and saw Him heal the demonic (Mark 1:21-28). Regardless of how he heard, Jairus falls at Jesus’ feet. A community leader falls before a carpenter from Nazareth. There are no pretensions, no succumbing to societal norms. The way in which a person comes to Jesus makes all the difference.


Jairus’ Plea. Jairus has only two short sentences in this narrative: a statement of fact that his daughter is dying and a request that Jesus put his hands on her so that she will live. There is no attempt on his part to justify why Jesus should do so, no attempt to tell Jesus about all he has done for the community. He just offers a simple plea for Jesus to save his dying daughter.


Jesus’ Perspective. “So Jesus went with him.” We have no further dialogue as to why Jesus did as Jairus requested, but He went with him. On the way to Jairus’ home Mark recounts the healing of the sick woman (5:25-34). I can only imagine the frustration that Jairus may have felt to have Jesus delay his progress in order to heal the woman. And then his problem goes from difficult to impossible. Jairus is informed that his daughter has died. Jesus is undeterred. “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Jesus is asking Jairus to turn his fear of death into faith in God. Upon arriving at the home, Jesus dismisses the professional mourners who have descended on the family and takes Jairus, his wife, and three disciples in to the girl. Then Mark recounts how Jesus uses the common language (in Aramaic) that would be used to wake up a child in the morning to raise the daughter from the dead. His words were extraordinarily ordinary. It is a scene of tenderness and compassion. Jesus uses an ordinary phrase to give an extraordinary result. It points to the time when we too will rise from the dead. Jesus touches death. This is what Christ has done for us.


How do we come to Jesus with our requests? What posture do we take before the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords? What verbiage do we go through to justify why Jesus should answer our prayer? How often am I frustrated when answers to my prayers are delayed? Like Jairus, Jesus asks us to “just believe.”


 

PRAYER


Consider using the practice of Visio Divina, divine seeing, for your time of prayer. It is a spiritual practice that invites us to encounter the sacred through visual imagery. There are generally five steps to the process:


  1. Choose an image. This could be a photograph or painting. Many stained glass windows would also work well. Likewise, you could try using a scenic outdoor setting. Before getting started, it’s a good idea to take several deep breaths and find a comfortable position. Settle in to the moment and invite God’s presence and direction.

  2. Gaze at the image, focusing on the first detail that catches your eye. Stay with this part of the image for a moment, breathing deeply. Sometimes what you first notice will be an emotion.

  3. Expand your view to take in the entire image. Observe it carefully, noticing all its elements.

  4. Reflect on these questions: What emotions arise? What thoughts or memories come to mind? Does this image draw you into prayer? If so, take time to express those prayers, either silently or in writing. Talk to God about what you’ve noticed and how it has made you feel.

  5. Conclude with a moment of silent prayer, offering your reflections to God and listening for God’s direction. Rest in the moment for a while and trust that the Holy Spirit is working.


There are many works of art depicting the raising of Jairus’ daughter. Here is a painting by Edwin Long from 1889, currently in the Victoria Art Gallery, that you may wish to practice visio divina.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR


TERRY GUSTAFSON

My wife, Mary, and I have been attending UALC for about 12 years.  We have two grown daughters and one grandchild.  I am a retired professor of chemistry at Ohio State, where I served many years as the faculty advisor to the IVCF graduate student chapter and as a member of the Faculty Christian Fellowship.  I currently have the privilege of serving on the UALC Council.



 
 
 
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