(NASB) Luke 8:40 “And as Jesus returned…”

  Jesus returned to Galilee from the pagan country of the Gerasenes by boat.
(NASB) Luke 8:40 “…the people welcomed Him, for they had all been waiting for Him.”

How long had they been waiting?  Scripture does not say, however, from careful reading it would seem to have been at least a half of a day.  So these people had been waiting for hours!

Jairus, an important man, an official of the synagogue, claimed Jesus’ immediate attention.  He fell at the feet of Jesus and begged Him to come home with him.  His only daughter, a twelve year old, was dying.  (Luke 8:41)

What can be gleaned from this brief view of a grieving father?
Jairus knew who could heal his daughter – Jesus!
Jairus went personally and implored Jesus to come home with him.

What did Jesus do in response to this grieving father?  It would seem He immediately went with the father.  Jesus did not waste time asking Jairus questions, He did not delay.
But, and this is huge, the crowds were pressing in on Jesus to such an extent that going quickly was impossible.  (Luke 8:42)
This crowd also had needs and desired to claim Jesus’ attention.  So they were probably jostling and pushing each other out of the way to get close to Jesus.

How would you feel if the person who could help was stopped by others?
Would you be frustrated?…because of people being in the way?
Would you be panicked?…because of not being able to get to the beloved person in time?
What about anger?…because of others and their selfishness at hindering help?
Then there is despair…too late, too late!

We are not told how Jairus reacted to that crowd impeding the way to his dying daughter.
How would you react?  More importantly, how should we react after praying to the living God of the Bible in the name of Jesus and yet circumstances seem to be ‘against us’?

One answer may be (among many other Scriptures)…
(NASB) Isaiah 55:8-9, 11 “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the LORD.
9 ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.’”
11 “So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”

 

God is worth your trust – in your circumstances – in your behalf!