Have you ever raced down a road, in a hurry to get someplace when you pass flashing yellow words on one of those electronic boards that strike fear into the heart of every motorist: “EXPECT DELAYS .... DETOUR AHEAD?” Occasionally, those signs appear on life’s freeways, too. Things often take longer than we would desire, whether it is: getting over an illness, finishing school, landing a job, weathering a crisis in our life, or waiting for a loved one to accept Christ. Often times we feel like saying, “Hurry up, Lord!” But yet, sometimes the Lord tarries.
In Mark 5: 21-43, we are introduced to Jairus in the first part of our text and we see the anxiousness in Jarius’ heart. Verses 22 and 23 says, “Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, ‘My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.’” Jairus was in the grip of fear, and, one thing I can tell you about fear is that fear is an emotion that we will not miss in heaven.
But soon, his anxiety is relieved. Verse 24 says, “So Jesus went with him.” Jairus must have been relieved that Jesus would come with him to help his little girl. But, the last part of verses 24 and 25, tells us that Jairus faced one delay after another. First it was the crowds that pressed around them. But in the middle of this delay came another delay. It was one of the tenderest stories in the Bible. A desperate woman reaches out and touches the hem of Christ’s garment. His virtue flows from Him into her body, and a sudden healing takes place. She receives freedom from her suffering. It was great for the woman, but not so great for Jairus. The interruption made Jesus late, and it was a fatal delay. In verse 35 we read, “35While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. ‘Your daughter is dead,’ they said. ‘Why bother the teacher any more?’”
But yet, Jesus intervenes. He gave Jairus two commands...five words...maybe six depending on the translation you use. But, these five words make all the difference. It is our Lord’s advice that is repeated in various forms throughout the Bible: “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Folks, these are words that make a difference! These are words we should remember! These are words we should memorize, claim, and obey!
Verses 38-42 tells us… “When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum” (which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished."
To others, it seemed Jesus had arrived too late. But Jesus was keeping His own clock... His pace was perfect. If you’re impatient today, and it seems you’re just “having to wait on the Lord” ... and, you’re passing those yellow “Expect Delays” signs, remember that when it seems that the Lord is slow to responding to you, He might be deepening your faith. When you have prayed so long for the lost of your family, or the end to a crisis in your life He gives you His advise, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Remember that He is totally in control. Everything is in His time. Even when we would like to say “Lord, could You hurry a little?”
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