Week 1 – PRONOUNCEMENT:
Jairus (Matt. 9 & Mk. 5)
– Tim Levesque & Kimberly Jackson
When we got there, the funeral was in progress, and that’s when he said, “Go Away!” We all looked ‘round like, “Did he just say that? At a funeral…Really?” It still makes me laugh. Had he not done what I brought him there to do, I might not be laughing today. It’s funny now though.
A few days before the funeral, I remember inviting him to my home—not as a funeral guest, as there was no funeral to be had yet. My daughter was on the verge of death, and I had heard about him and what people said he did. Some of my co-workers were telling me that he was bad news, but it was a worth a shot. I remember my frustration as he stopped because some lady had grabbed his robe. He was taking his sweet time while my little girl was dying; my fingers were bleeding as I was nervously biting my fingernails like some sort of wood chipper. Just then a buddy came to me with tears and told me that she was gone. I remember my heart sank as they told the Healer to not worry himself with having to come anymore. Before I could say anything else, he told me not to worry about it. I remember feeling slightly relieved as we continued. I remember feeling my heart sink again as some of my family, neighbors, friends, and funeral workers made fun of him when he said she was just sleeping. I will admit that would have been a long nap.
He told me to get everyone out, and so I did. There were still several in the room at this time. It was then that he did it. We made it in the…well, the nick of time was long gone at that point. I will NEVER forget that day.
I like to imagine that a modern day interview with Jairus would sound like this. The fact is that I and many of us at FWC live in this reality. Although we have Jesus right in front of us and he reveals his character constantly, we still get a little bogged down by how the world may treat our Savior. We tell people, “Come and see; come to church. Jesus is there and he wants you”—even people that are far gone. When something is perceivably impossible, we can invite Jesus to see what his opinion of the situation is. Maybe it’s a lost brother, or money problems, health issues, or (in Jairus’ case) death. You will invite Jesus, and the world will laugh; your friends may say it’s too late. We are getting married soon and some may say we aren’t ready, or we can’t afford it………..Amidst the noise, we invite Jesus to come and blow our socks off. Sit back, relax, and let Jesus blow your mind.