So often we want life on our terms. In marriage when someone wants the marriage to be built on “their terms” ….it very often fails or at the very least is unhappy. A HUGE lesson that I learned in life is not to always demand it on MY TERMS. In fact, I will go one step further…..my life changed when I accepted life on God’s terms. I have found that Jesus is the source of all hope and the source of all promise. The key is…..I have found that it is usually not on MY TERMS.
Mark 5:32-36 (TNIV)
32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” 35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” 36 Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
This woman had lived life on her terms….and it wasn’t working out. She sought out Jesus in the crowds and simply humble herself to HIS terms…..she simply wanted to touch His clothing to change her life. However, Jesus clearly wanted her to know that he was not a talisman (a good luck charm). He wanted to know who she was. And look how he addressed her…as a father would address his child, Jesus said, “Daughter, your faith has healed you.
Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” It is important to note here that the Greek, “go in peace” is literally like saying, “go INTO peace”. Jesus is telling her that her life has been changed…..go INTO peace now. With this healing….Jesus gave this woman her life. He wished her peace of both body and soul. He gave her healing for her body as well as eternal salvation for her soul.
Then we see Jairus, the synagogue leader, probably freaking out because remember….he had asked Jesus to come heal his dying daughter…and he gets word that now his daughter has died. In fact…..the people are telling Jairus that there is no more need for Jesus. Oh, how wrong they are!
I have also seen that often when we have a deep need….we cry out to Jesus, but, when there is no longer that need (in this case Jairus did not get what he was asking for) that many abandon or simply forget their need for Jesus in their lives. Do we want life on our terms only? Do we only want Jesus when we have a need?
But….look what starts to happen……Jesus tells Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Hmmmmmmm……I can certainly see here that Jesus is STILL their only hope. As we will see tomorrow, Jairus continues on With Jesus to his home where his dead daughter lies.
I saw it best put this way: “When you feel hopeless and afraid, when others claim that ‘nothing can be done,’ remember that Jesus is the source of all hope and promise. You may have to disregard the unbelief of others and hold firmly to Jesus.”
Often times, to others, it’s too late. But it is important to know that when others think it’s too late, that it actually is only an opportunity Jesus, and opportunity for hope and healing. Don’t ever close that door!