Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“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, for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, who was dying.”
NL Daily Devotion for Thursday, February 8, 2024
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
We’ve been looking at healing stories this week. The Canaanite woman—a Gentile. The Roman centurion—also a Gentile, and a problematic figure (by our standards) to be sure! And now, Jairus, a leader of the synagogue. A good Jew, and one in a position of prominence. He goes right to Jesus for help, so clearly he knows who Jesus is and what he’s capable of. We can assume, then (though maybe we shouldn’t) that he’s not among the Jewish authority who wants Jesus eliminated at all costs. The way it looks on paper is that this is a “good” guy through and through—and he loves his daughter. The moment his messengers come to Jesus, Jesus drops everything and goes to help.
The other part of this story, though, is that Jesus actually stalls. He has to fight his way through the crowds, as always, but when a woman touches his robe for healing, he stops and gives her—someone completely lacking in the kind of power Jairus enjoys—personal attention. He didn’t need to stop. The healing was done the moment she touched his robe. But he did stop to see her. To tell her that she was loved and worthy. That her faith had made her well.
Only then does he continue his journey to Jairus’ house, where the man’s daughter has already died. But not so! Jesus assures everyone that the child is not dead, only sleeping. They laugh, but of course Jesus is right, and the little girl gets up and eats a snack.
Once again, Jesus’ healing doesn’t distinguish between rich or poor, Jew or Gentile, powerful leader or ordinary citizen. No one is excluded, no one is more important—or less important—than any other. So it is with us. May you live in gratitude for the knowledge of just how much you are loved.
Do I ever feel more worthy or less worthy of Jesus’ love?
