Mark 5:21-24a - Jairus Comes to Jesus

Mark 5:21-24a
21 When Jesus had crossed over again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him; and so He stayed by the seashore.22 One of the synagogue officials named Jairus *came up, and on seeing Him, *fell at His feet 23 and *implored Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live.” 24a And He went off with him;

Message: Jairus Comes to Jesus

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Jesus has left the Geradene side of the lake (sea of Galilee) and now come back to the west side, at Capernaum and a large crowd gathered around Him; people were waiting for him to come back, anticipating his arrival. Thus, Jesus is getting more popular. "Christ ennobled Bethlehem by his birth, Nazareth by his education, and Jerusalem By his death, so he honored Capernaum by making it his ordinary residence, and the focus, so to speak, of his preaching and miracles. (Pulpit Commentary)."

One of the synagogue officials named Jairus came up, and on seeing Him, fell at His feet. Synagogue officials were Jewish layman (not full-time ministers) in charge of maintaining the building and organizing, such as the schedule of synagogue services; though there could have been more than one of these per synagogue.

Jairus implored Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live.” Matthew remarked that she was already dead in his account, yet later in Mark (v. 35) was the declaration that the daughter had died before the Lord could get to her. As a reminder, this account given to Mark probably came from Peter. It is possible that Peter knew Jairus or perhaps this stood out from Peter. It's difficult to know the details of these events. What we do know is Jesus went off with him. Jesus has compassion and concern and he addresses this man's need.

Promise: I can be confident that Jesus will address needs, my needs. He has compassion on specific needs and Mark wants us to know this through these words.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being personal. Thank you for loving people, all people, and desiring to help people in their time of need. Thank you for the message that we receive from these words that you do care for people and want the best for them. Help us to have confidence in You at all times and in life. You will not always do exactly what we want all the time, but I continue to praise your name. Help others to trust you as well. Draw people closer to you.