Contemplative Bible Reading

Mark 5:22-23 (New Living Translation)

22 Then a leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, arrived. When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet, 23 pleading fervently with him. “My little daughter is dying,” he said. “Please come and lay your hands on her; heal her so she can live.”

Jairus is a leader of the local synagogue. The synagogues were, and are to this day, schools where the Jewish law was taught.

Leaders of synagogues didn’t get along well with Jesus. Jesus often taught the synagogue leaders the errors of their ways. The synagogue leaders didn’t like that. We have several examples of that in scriptures.

This synagogue leader, however, ignores all that. He falls at the feet of Jesus and pleads with Jesus to come to his home. His daughter is ill beyond their means to restore her health.

Note how local political disagreements disappear when your child is dying. There is something about the health of your child that renders all other issues mute.

The child died. Jesus arrived and made her alive again.

No more trouble in this local synagogue.

Sometimes we need something close and real to help us to understand what is important and what is petty. Please God, let me understand the difference without having to experience the agony of Jairus.