Jarius’ Daughter

Luke 8:40-42, 49-50, 53-56

“40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41 Just then there came a man named Jairus, a leader of the synagogue. He fell at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, who was dying...  49 While he was still speaking, someone came from the leader’s house to say, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the teacher any longer.” 50 When Jesus heard this, he replied, “Do not fear. Only believe, and she will be saved.”…  53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and called out, “Child, get up!” 55 Her spirit returned, and she got up at once. Then he directed them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astounded; but he ordered them to tell no one what had happened.”

Jarius’ only daughter, maybe his only child, was dying.  She was twelve years old, just old enough to be considered a woman (in those days).  Reaching the age of womanhood was supposed to be a time of celebration, but instead it brought death.

Jarius, a leader in the local synagogue, fell at the feet of Jesus and begged him to come to his home to heal his daughter.  But, people who had just come from Jarius’ home told Christ not to bother, the daughter had died.

For the crowd that had gathered at Jairus’ home, death was a finality, an insurmountable obstacle, a closed door.

For Christ, death was the beginning, the pathway, the gateway to resurrection.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)