Keep The Faith, Help Is On The Way
This year we will celebrate Juneteenth as a Federal holiday! What would our ancestors say about this incredible moment? They waited for more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued before they got the word that they were free. While it was a travesty that their liberation was delayed, for those who held on and kept the faith that one day they would see freedom, there was jubilation when the news finally arrived. And now they would tell us that there is still much to do to realize our full liberation, so don't give up! In Matthew 9:18-26, God shows us that He can change our situation, no matter how long we've been waiting. Keep your faith in Him. His timing is perfect and your blessing is already on the way.
While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples. (Matt. 9:18-19). While Jesus was responding to a question, a synagogue leader came and interrupted Him. This man's name is given as Jairus in the gospels of Mark and Luke. He told Jesus why he interrupted Him... his daughter was dead, but he believed Jesus could restore her life. Jesus got up and went with Jairus in response to his need. When we go to Him in faith, God is not too busy to respond to our needs. He has the power to bring to life to our circumstance, even to what you thought was dead.
Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment. (Matt. 9:20-22). As Jesus was on the way to see about Jairus' daughter, He was interrupted by a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. According to Jewish law, she was unclean and should not have been in contact with anyone, especially Jesus. But she had the faith that, just by touching His clothing, Jesus had the power to heal her of her issue. And even while focused on getting to Jairus' daughter, Jesus was sensitive enough to be aware of what this unnamed woman was going through. Jesus saw her and He acknowledged her need for healing. He lovingly called her "daughter" and said "Your faith has healed you". And she was healed from that moment. You may have struggled with your issue for a long time, but God sees your faith, He calls you His child, and He will answer you with blessing.
When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. News of this spread through all that region. (Matt. 9:23-26). Jesus arrived at Jairus' house to find mourners there. He announced to them that Jairus' daughter was not dead, but that only illicited laughter from those who doubted Jesus' power and His word. But the doubters were put out and Jairus got the last laugh. His faith in Jesus was rewarded. As Jesus reached out and touched his daughter...she got up! What everyone thought was dead, received new life through Jesus. Do you have the faith to drive out doubt and unbelief and trust that God is on the way with your breakthrough?
It would have been easy for Jairus to give up all hope that anyone, even Jesus, could help Him. But He had faith that Jesus could change his daughter's condition, that Jesus was the great Physician who could heal even past the point of death.
Instead of seeing a woman with an issue of blood as a distraction on His way to Jairus' daughter, Jesus saw her faith as an opportunity to encourage all of us who have faith in Him. After 12 long years, this woman believed she could be healed. Her faith in Jesus was rewarded with the healing she so desperately needed. She was not only healed physically, but Jesus healed her spiritually. She was longer an outsider to God's family, Jesus healed her of sin and made her a member of the family of God (daughter).
Jairus had to wait for his daughter's healing while Jesus stopped to heal another. The woman with an issue of blood had been waiting on healing for 12 years. How long have you been seeking God for your change? Know this, Jesus sees you and He knows just what you need. Don't give up, keep the faith...help is on the way!
And to those Fathers who walk in the spirit of Jairus, who keep praying and trusting God on behalf of their families…Happy Father’s Day! May God shower His blessings on you and on your family.
Blessings,
Rev. Glenn
