CONNECTING POINT: Fear to Faith - Welcome Interruptions

When was the last time you were interrupted in a conversation or action you were carrying out? Most of us don’t like interruptions.

I marvel at the example of Jesus, He ministered to people with ghreat compassion but did so in wisdom and truth. He certainly wasn’t a pushover when the Pharisees and Sadducees tried to pin Him down with their legalism. He stood strong when the opposition pressed and had this incredible ability to connect with hurting people. In the greatest sense, Jesus was a multitasker, after all the Bible refers to Him as the “Creator of everything” so interruptions were no problem.

Luke records a noteworthy interruption, “Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying” (Luke 8:40-41). Jesus stops walking because He knew something powerful happened with the crowd pressing, and then the woman reveals her healing and story of shame. As only the Savior could do, He turns this interruption into a transforming moment. Beautiful!

Continuing… “While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. ‘Your daughter is dead,’ he said. ‘Don’t bother the teacher anymore.’ Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.’ When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, and James, and the child’s father and mother. Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. ‘Stop wailing,’ Jesus said. ‘She is not dead but asleep.’ They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and said, ‘My child, get up!’ Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened,” (Luke 8:49-56).

Here are a couple of observations:

One: We learn that Jesus isn’t bothered by interruptions. He embraced those types of moments often. An acquaintance or family member found Jairus in the presence of Jesus and reported terrible news his daughter had died. His response was natural: shock and defeat. Then again, Jesus had a better plan as another instance arose for Him to display His power and authority.

Two: We learn that naysayers' laughter or mocking is no match for Jesus. Over the centuries, Middle Eastern cultures have a custom when someone dies: “Wailers” dressed in sackcloth arrive at the family’s home and mourn by tossing ash in the air and on themselves, displaying grief. As Americans, our culture is quite different in terms of responding to death. I think we are a bit more reserved.

It was during this moment that Jesus again operated in His special authority and power. With just a few disciples and parents at the girl’s side, He performed a very rare miracle: She was raised from the dead. There are only three occurrences of this extraordinary type of miracle in the New Testament, including the widow’s son of Nain and, of course, Lazarus, a friend of Jesus.

The many miracles of Jesus are indeed a testimony of His greatness; those recorded in the Bible are there to help build our faith. When God does something rare but miraculous today, it’s important to focus on Jesus, not man.