…Let’s start in 1 John.
1 John 3:8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
What are the works of the devil? Sin. And sin leads to death. So Satan, sin, and death are related. Satan sins. He deceives people into sin and holds them in bondage to sin and the consequences of death due to that sin. But Jesus appeared to destroy all that.
In the previous passage, Jesus demonstrated his power over Satan. With a word, Jesus cast out an unclean spirit called “Legion,” because they were many, even as many as 6,000 demons. But the works of the devil are more than just possessing a person. His works include sin and death.
Now, in the passage before us, Mark 5:21-43, Mark gives us a testimony to the manifest power of God over Satan’s works of sin and death.
Mark 5:21-24 And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. 22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 23 and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” 24 And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him.
So, at the start of the passage, we see neither sin nor death. Just a sick little girl at the point of death and a concerned father who happened to be a religious ruler. The religious rulers had not responded favorably to Jesus. But this synagogue ruler saw in Jesus someone who could heal his daughter.
I appreciate Jairus’ impassioned plea. Making a public and fervent plea does not fit comfortably into my often withdrawn and reserved personality. But the Scriptures are full of men and women who voiced loud and determined requests to God. And God himself says that he will be found by those who seek him with a whole heart. Perhaps not every request needs to go before God with an earnest plea, but maybe some do.
We can assume that Jairus’ manner of request pleased God because Jesus went with him. Listen, when you have a need, call upon God. Genuinely, truthfully, honestly. God listens. God responds. God is not too busy with everyone else’s problems. I heard a person say, “Jesus is interruptible.” Jairus was just one man surrounded by crowds. And yet, his earnest plea secured the attention of Jesus…
