Listen

Jesus crossed the lake again, and on the other side a large crowd gathered around him on the shore. Jairus, one of the synagogue leaders, came forward. When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet and pleaded with him, “My daughter is about to die. Please, come and place your hands on her so that she can be healed and live.” So Jesus went with him.

Mark 5:21-24a

Think

When I hear the phrase “faith in action” my mind often goes to those choices I make to serve others. Often my actions are on my conditions when I am available, and in ways that make me feel good and accomplished. My life seems to be too busy to allow interruptions to distract me.

We read Mark 5 and often want to jump to the miracle that happens later in the story. In doing so, however, we miss a very potent moment. When Jairus sobs out in desperation, Jesus does something profound — he stops, and then verse 24 says, “Jesus went with him.” Jesus’ humanity, compassion, and hands-on ministry challenges us.

What do WE do when we hear the cries of the neglected? The oppressed? The dying? The example of Jesus is to “stop” and then “go.”

When we hear someone’s pleas for justice, healing, or care, can it be said of us that we “went with them”?

Dale Tadlock

Pray

Emmanuel, God with Us, forgive me for my foolish faith. Each day I am bombarded with the cries of those near me. Give me the grace to not judge, lecture, or just “make a donation.” Please fill me with the courage to go with them, even when “with them” is way beyond my comfort zone. Amen.

Go

Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.

Martin Luther King Jr.