Gaylord Diaz's Blog

Many of us face health and physical issues. The trials of life have assailed us and we find ourselves disheartened, fearful, and doubtful about what’s going to happen to us.

Here’s the situation. You’re praying and believing God to heal you. But things have gotten worse. You’ve gotten sicker. The symptoms and circumstances don’t look good. The prognosis is bleak. And you’re faced with the very real possibility of dying. What do you do? Do you quit praying and believing for healing, resign yourself to the disease and get ready to die? Or do you stick to your original prayer and continue believing God for healing and life?

I’d like for you to think about the answer to the question. And I’d like for you to compare your answer with the answer that God gives us in the Scriptures today.

Jesus is in Gadara. He has cast the demons out of the Gadarene demoniacs. About 2,000 pigs perished in the Sea during the exorcism. As a result of Jesus’ fearsome power, and the significant economic loss of the pigs, the Gadarenes asked Jesus to leave their country. Jesus complies with their request. He sails back across the Sea of Galilee with His disciples in tow and He lands in His adopted hometown of Capernaum. We pick the story up in MARK 5:21-24.

And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.  (22)  And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,  (23)  And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.  (24)  And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

Jairus was a synagogue ruler in Capernaum. He was in charge of the building and everything that went on in the building. Some of his duties included appointing a person to read the Scriptures and pray, choosing someone to preach, and making sure that the service was conducted in an orderly fashion without interruption or interference.

Jesus grew up in Nazareth, but He lived in Capernaum during His public ministry. He went to synagogue services in Capernaum. He was invited one time to preach. And it just so happened that during His sermon, He was interrupted by a demon-possessed fellow who was yelling and screaming: Let us alone. Let us alone. What have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art. Thou art the Holy One of God (Mark 1:24).

Well, Jesus promptly rebuked the demon and set the man free. Mark 1:27 tells us, And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

Well, it’s quite likely that Jesus was in Jairus’ synagogue and the only way He could have preached His sermon was because Jairus asked Him to preach. Jairus, I’m saying, isn’t ignorant about Jesus. He’s heard Jesus. He’s seen Him in action. He’s seen firsthand, and heard about, Jesus’ many miracles.

Now Jairus had a daughter. She was about twelve years old. Well, one day, the daughter fell sick. And over the course of the next few days the girl got worse and worse. Just like what’s happened to some of us. Before long, it became painfully obvious that she was dying. Finally, it came to a point where she was only minutes away from dying. This was her last day. In a matter of moments, she’d be dead.

But Jairus refuses to sit there and watch his daughter die! He loves his daughter a whole lot and he’s not willing, or ready, to let her die. He doesn’t give up faith or abandon hope. Suddenly, in a moment of Divine genius or inspiration, Jairus remembers Jesus. You know, the miracle worker. The one with power and authority over sickness and demons. The healer. Jesus can help! Why didn’t he think of it before? Jesus is his last hope!

Can you believe God for healing even in the face of imminent, pending death? Can you believe God to heal you even when the doctors give up on you and give you no hope? Jairus believed. WHEN YOU’VE GOT JESUS YOU’VE GOT HOPE.

Here’s the principle of faith that I go by. Unless God’s showed you that it’s your time to die, it’s still God’s will to heal you. You can believe him for life in a life-and-death situation. God wants you to believe.

Rising from his daughter’s bedside, Jairus runs quickly out of the house in search of Jesus. Jesus is not hard to find. There’s always people around Him. And it just so happened, on this particular day, Jesus was in town. In fact, He just sailed in from Gadara. Talk about Divine timing. JESUS IS THERE WHEN YOU NEED HIM! Hallelujah!

Unfortunately, it’s not always easy getting to Jesus. There are roadblocks, obstacles, and detours that Satan puts in your way to discourage you and get you to turn around, go back home, and die. The roadblocks are called fear. Doubt. Unbelief. Frightful, hopeless circumstances. The doctor’s sad report. The disease’s fearful prognosis.

In Jairus’ case, the trouble was people. Jesus was surrounded by a whole lot of people on Galilee’s shore. Jairus is running. He’s yelling and asking people to make way. People aren’t paying any attention to him. They’ve come to see Jesus. They’ve come to hear Him preach. They’ve come to get their miracle. They ain’t budging. So Jairus pushes and fights his way through the crowd.

Finally, with some difficulty, he stands before Jesus. Jairus promptly falls to the ground in an act of obeisance and worship. “Jesus, my daughter is dying. Who knows, she might even be dead by now. But come with me, lay hands on her, and I know she’ll live. You can heal her. Please come quickly and save her.”

At that very instant, Jesus dropped what He was doing and He followed Jairus. Do you think Jesus doesn’t want to help you? Think He isn’t keen on healing when death’s around the corner? Think again and, this time, let the Scriptures show you what to think.

Jesus follows Jairus. His disciples followed behind Him and, of course, the whole multitude of people tagged along. Here was a miracle in the making and the people weren’t about ready to go home without seeing Jesus perform a mighty miracle.

The only thing about it was, they weren’t all following behind Jesus. Rather, the crowd was all around Jesus. The word thronged in Mark 5:24 means they were all around Him, they were on every side. It was like a huge circle of people with Jesus, Jairus, and the disciples right smack in the middle of this humongous crowd. Naturally, when you’re stuck in the middle of a huge crowd, forward progress is going to be slow and difficult. It’s hard to get anywhere when everybody’s around you.

The trip to Jairus’ house is taking time—exactly what Jairus’ daughter doesn’t have. Jairus is probably crying and pleading with the people, if not angry, to please make way. “We’re in a hurry! My daughter’s dying! Please get out of the way! Move it! Clear out! Out of the way!”

Suddenly and unexpectedly, to Jairus’ dismay, Jesus stops. “What now? What’s happening? God, we’re in a hurry here. Please don’t stop!!!” But Jesus doesn’t listen. He stands still and looks around.

To Be Continued Next Time, Part 2 of this very exciting story. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to have your faith strengthened and encouraged!