Dangerously near death
DAVID WILKERSON DEVOTIONS
DANGEROUSLY NEAR DEATH
The fifth chapter of Mark tells the story of Jairus, the desperate synagogue ruler who asked Jesus to heal his daughter. The twelve-year-old girl was dangerously near death, and Jairus pleaded with Christ to come to his house and lay hands on her.
Jesus agreed to go with him but first He stopped along the way to minister to a woman with a blood disease. (This was the woman who was healed when she touched the hem of His garment.) Yet while Jesus tarried, a messenger came with tragic news: Jairus’ daughter had already died. He told the synagogue ruler, “Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?” (Mark 5:35).
Jairus’ heart was gripped with grief. He thought, “If only we had gotten there on time. Now it’s too late. My daughter is gone.” But Jesus assured him, “Be not afraid, only believe” (5:36).
As they approached Jairus’ home, they heard sounds of wailing and mourning. It was Jairus' family and neighbors, grieving over the girl. Picture the contrast in this scene: Here was God in flesh, creator of the universe, able to perform any work imaginable—yet they were weeping in His presence. In short, they were testifying, “God can only help as long as there is some sign of hope left. But once all life is gone, there is no need to call on Him anymore. Even He cannot restore that kind of situation.”
How many Christians today no longer call upon the Lord because they think their problem is hopeless? Multitudes trust God only to the point that something in their life dies. I’m not referring to the death of a person; I’m talking about the death of a marriage, a relationship, a dream, your hope for an unsaved loved one—anything in your life you think is impossible to fix, change or restore.
Jesus rebuked such unbelief. He said to the weeping crowd at Jairus’ home, “Why make ye this ado, and weep? The damsel is not dead, but sleepeth” (5:39). He was stating, “This situation is not what you see or think. You think all hope is gone but I say there will be restoration.” He then went to the little girl's room, and speaking a mere word, He brought the child to life. “Straightway the damsel arose, and walked” (5:42).
Nothing is too “dead” or too far gone for Him to restore to life. He is saying, “Put your trust in Me to fix your problem. It is never too late for Me to work.”
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