Press in and Press on with Jesus

The story in Mark 5:21-42 truly speaks of two people who pressed in and pressed on. 

21 Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. 

22 And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet 

23 and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.”

24 So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.

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Jesus met Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, an important man by title. Jairus' daughter is sick to the point of death and he implores Jesus to heal her. Jesus went with him and a large crowd followed them and pressed in all around Him.

Now enters  an unnamed woman, without title or possibly any standing in the community. She had a health issue that had plagued her for twelve years. She was broke and still not well. However, when she heard Jesus was in town she sought him out. She did not call out to him. She did not approach him. She had heard enough about him that an introduction was not necessary. Words were not necessary. 

She was part of that crowd that thronged Him on His way to Jairus' house. Despite being part of the crowd she was different from the others. She was on a mission. She knew that if she could just get close enough to touch the hem of His garment she would be made well. So, with determination and possibly her last bit of strength, she pressed in and pressed in and pressed in. She kept pressing in until she touched Him. Perhaps it was just a fingerip that grazed the hem of His garment. Whatever the touch, it was enough that Jesus stopped and asked, "Who touched My clothes?" 

His disciples, despite seeing all His wondrous works and sitting under His teachings daily, were puzzled. They answer Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’”  But Jesus knew that faith had drawn power from Him. Ignoring His disciples' question, He looked and saw the woman. She fell at His feet trembling and told Him her story, the truth of why she touched Him. With love and compassion He answered her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."

35 While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”

Alas! The need that Jairus had  was distracted by the woman who touched Jesus. Now his daughter was dead. Take notice of the next thing Jesus did. He thinned the crowd down to Peter, James and John and continued to the house of the ruler. Jesus was not interested in  being a showman. His only concern was to meet the need. He only took those with whom He had a relationship with. Next, Jesus makes an incredible statement. 

39 When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.” 

He then thins another crowd and puts the naysayers out. It is important to surround yourself only with people of faith. Dismiss the naysayers in your life, especially when you are asking the Lord to meet a need you may have. If you allow God, He will remove the scorners and mockers from your life.

40A And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying.

Jesus only kept the father, mother, Peter, James and John with Him. The parents represented the ones with the need. Jairus sought Jesus for his need, therefore it is safe to say that he believed in Jesus and what He could do. Peter, James and John were part of His inner circle.

  41 Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement.

In this story, it is not stated that Jairus objected to Jesus meeting the needs of the unnamed woman. He was not shown as anxious, impatient, jealous nor demanding, despite his status versus the status of the woman. Fear was never a factor, and when the chance for fear came, Jesus immediately dealt with it in Jairus. He told Jairus, "Do not be afraid." Don't believe the report of man when you are walking with the Son of God. Once again, we must keep our eyes on Jesus, especially when trusting Him to minister to our needs. 

This story in Mark is so beautiful. It shows that Jesus is no respecter of persons, male or female, status or none. He ministered to both. Jesus was not moved by the reports of the servants that spoke of death. He was not deterred nor anxious.

If we allow ourselves to be ruled by what we see or hear and by delays or setbacks, then we are not allowing Jesus complete control. We are not truly trusting in Him to the point of death. 

Are you part of the crowd following after Jesus or are you like the woman...in the crowd, but not of the crowd...pressing in. Does your faith allow you to reach Jesus and to hear Him say, "Your faith has made you well."?

Jairus could have told Jesus to go back upon hearing that his daughter was dead. He could have blamed the unnamed woman for robbing him of the chance to have his daughter healed.  He chose to believe. What do you choose?

When it seems your needs are being delayed or that the Master is distracted, remember His words to Jairus, "Do not be afraid; only believe." 

When you press in like the woman and press on like Jairus, it is then you will hear the Master speak and see Him work.