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.

While Jesus was still speaking with her, messengers came from the synagogue leader’s house, saying to Jairus, “Your daughter has died. Why bother the teacher any longer?”

But Jesus overheard their report and said to the synagogue leader, “Don’t be afraid; just keep trusting.”

They came to the synagogue leader’s house, and he saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, “What’s all this commotion and crying about? The child isn’t dead. She’s only sleeping.” They laughed at him, but he threw them all out. Then, taking the child’s parents and his disciples with him, he went to the room where the child was. Taking her hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Young woman, get up.” Suddenly the young woman got up and began to walk around. She was 12 years old. They were shocked!

Mark 5:21-24a, 35-36, 38-42

Think

A religious leader, Jairus, finds himself in a difficult situation. His daughter is seriously sick. He has gone to doctors and local healers to find a cure, but so far, he has been unsuccessful. He sits and looks at his child, whom he loves so much, and feels helpless.

He hears that Jesus is in town. He knows this may be his daughter’s last chance to get well. He goes to Jesus, falls on his knees, and begs him to come lay his healing hand on his child. At that moment, Jesus does not care about this man’s status or wealth. All he sees is someone in need, and he goes with him. By the end of this journey, Jairus’s daughter is healed.

We drink the living water Jesus offers when we are not selfishly focused only on our needs but allow the living water to flow through us by being attentive to others’ needs. When we do this, like Jesus, we can help bring healing to their lives.

James Blay

Question to Ponder:

How can you practice being attentive to the needs of others?

Pray

Loving God, help me not lose sight of the needs of those around me. Give me the desire and strength to do all I can to meet their needs.

Amen.

Go

Go spread the word. All who are thirsty, all who are yearning for welcome and belonging, all who need to feel loved and experience grace, come to the fountain of Jesus and drink.