In this ‘instant everything’ era that we are living in, we have been trained to not want to wait!  We are looking for the shortest checkout line, we buy the fast food option instead of cooking, and we are constantly looking for the instant, most express avenue in all that we have to do.  But our sermon text for today teaches otherwise. 

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In Mark 5 we find Jesus again surrounded by people, healing all that were brought to Him.  This was when Jairus, one of the synagogue leaders, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet.  He 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.”  So Jesus went with him.  No waiting yet, Jesus responded immediately.

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But on the way as crowds were following, pressing up all around Jesus, a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years.  She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.  When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak,  because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.”  Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

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At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”  Jesus turned immediately to see who had touched Him, then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”  Now this is where the story takes the ‘too late to wait’ turn. 

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While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”  Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”   At this point Jairus must have been wondering what might have been if Jesus had not been stopped by that woman.  But Jesus assured him to not be afraid just believe.

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We are reminded that God’s ways are higher than our ways; He operates on His schedule not man’s schedule.  When we have to wait our faith is being tested.  When we can’t or won’t wait we are sinning because we think we know the way.  It usually brings a well-known Proverb to mind, 3:5, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. 

The faith of Jairus was rewarded with his daughter being brought back to life; the faith of the woman was rewarded when her bleeding was healed.  There are many instances where Jesus said, “Your faith has made you well”. 

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So even though we think we are time-poor, we should always have time for God.  Every minute that we enjoy each day comes from Him, we should use them wisely. 

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