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40 And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him.41 And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:42 For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him.43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, 44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. 45 And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 46 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. 49 While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.51 And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. 52 And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. 53 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. 54 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. 55 And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. 56 And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.

 

When we read this story, the question of the timing of Jesus get brought up. Jesus could have just spoken a word and healed her, however he chose to wait and heal her in person. 

When you think about it, there seems to be a lot of unneeded sorrow in this story. 

We know from reading other parts of Scripture that Jesus' ablility is not restricted by His location. He could have just said a word and the young girl would have been healed. 

The father would have spared morning the death of his daughter. But, Jesus allowed Himself to be delayed. 

The key word is "allowed" Jesus didn't have to stop and knowledge the women with a issue of blood. He could have just moved forward because time was precious. 

This way of thinking brings out some tension in our relationship with Jesus. Namely, his timing. 

Most of us can say without hesitation that we love Jesus, but how many of us can say that we love His timing. In fact, I'm sure that I was to survey everyone about their relationship with Jesus, His timing would be the thing that people like the least. 

If Jesus is the author of life, and He is. Your story has been authored by jhesus, and it ahs. Then our question would be to Jesus, "why is it that you only like to tell suspense thrillers?"

The Man

Before we got into the story, I think it would helpful if we get to know something about Jairus.

Luke 8:41 "And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:"

Luke tells us that he was "ruler of synagogue" which meant he organized the activities which surrounded the life of the synagogue. 

He would have been like one of our trustees. This would have also made himprominent in the community. He would have been kown by almost everyone in the town he lived in. 

The problem

Luke 8:42 "For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him."

The problem was that his daughter was dying...... the situation wasdire. Notice the text doesn't say she was seriously ill, no.... it says she was dying. 

There was no ambiguity about was going to happen to the girl if Jesus did not show up. She was going to die. 

Lets look at some of the miracles Jesus has performed:

  • Jesus calmed the storm (Luke 8:22-25) he and his disciples were in the middle of lake about to die, and then Jesus rebukes the storm and then it goes away.
  • Jesus casts a legion demons out of a man (Luke 8:26-39) this happens immediately after the calming of the storm. Can you imagine fearing for your life because of this powerful storm is about to consume you, and then Jesus stands up and rebukes the storm and suddenly everything calms? Then you get to the shore and a crazy naked man sees you and starts running your way? waht a roller coaster of emotions!
  • All this is after Jesus heals someone without even having to see or touch them
  • While Jesus is on the way to heal this young woman, he heals a random lady who touches the hem of his garment.

I said all that to make this point.... as we read seriously gospels the immense power of Jesus is constantly on display. Which brings us to verse 48.

Luke 8:49 While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogus's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. 

This seems like a waste. Why even have this story in the Bible? As we read further, we find that Jesus continues to Jairus's house. 

The mourners are still there. He tells them not to be afraid and to believe vs 50, and that the girl is not dead but a sleep vs 52.

The reaction of the crowd

Luke 8:53 And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.

Many of us have been there, we express our faith and God and our friends and family respond by laughing in our face. 

The story before us today to me is one of the mostinteresting stories in the gospel of Luke. 

It seems as if circumstances have been arranged to make Jesus look like a fool, he gets to the house too late. 

  • Why did he not heal her like he did the centurion's daughter? All he had to do was say a word. 
  • Why did he allow the woman with the issue of blood to distract him? He could have gotten tot hte house that much faster.

All of this brings into question the timing of God. We've all hadthis experience, of being a day late and a dollar short. 

Of thinking to ourselves God if you could have only done this according to my timing things would have gone OK. 

Before we go any further, I want to give you two truths about God's timing. 

  1. God's timing is non of our business.
    1. It's none of our business because if He explained it, we wouldn't understand.
    2. It's none of our business because if He allowed our input, we would ruin it.
  2. God's timing is an extension of His goodness. As a man in his 40's I sometimes thing God for not answering some my prayers in my 20's. God's timing is best!

The rest of the story

Luke 8:54-56

54 And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.

55 And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.

56 And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.

We all know the rest of the story; Jesus heals the young girl but he does it in his timing and with his plan.

I don't know if you've ever argued with God but let me tell you, he wins!

We may have what we think is a great plan, but if it is not his plan it is a bad plan.