JUN IOR K ING 'S BUSINESS Mrs. Martha S. Hooker, Editor
A Father’s Day Meditation
J a ir u s w a s a man of position and authority, a ruler of the syna gogue; but in our meditation to-day we are emphasizing the fact that he was a parent, a father of a little girl, twelve years of age. This “ one only daughter” was with out doubt the joy of Jairus’s home and heart. She was all the family these parents had. And though they must have lived in the most comfortable circumstances of their day, yet it was this only child, approaching the teen age period that made life worth while for them. But now she was ill. No doubt the best physicians of their day had been consulted but none could help. She had grown only worse and at this point in the record “ she lay dying.” Sadness had entered t h i s home, and the dark shadow of death brooded over it. Joy had fled! What could these parents do? Where could they turn for help in this hour of great need? This home is a picture of many homes today, homes of comfort, ease and position, yet homes of sorrow, grief and deep distress. The child on whom parents have bestowed much love and affection is sick, yes even dead in trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1). Jairus, this father of long ago, has given us the answer. He has set forth the pattern for all parents today whose children are unsaved or whose way ward children have b r o k e n their hearts. First he “ came to Jesus,” — came to Jesus in behalf of his one and only daughter who “ lay a dying.” Parents should come to the Lord Jesus today to receive Him first of all as their own Saviour, then come to Him in be half of their children, no matter what the need or problem. He is a great Saviour, able to save and keep and solve every problem. “ There is nothing too hard for Him” (Jer. 32:17). “ Come unto Me” (Matt. 11:28) is still His gracious invitation. Secondly Jairus “fell down at Jesus’ feet,” an act of humility and worship and recognition of whom He was. “ At the feet of Jesus” — what a place for parents to be found today beseeching
Him like Jairus to “ come unto their house.” This is what is needed today, parents who have invited the Lord Jesus into their hearts and homes (Rev. 3:29). What a difference there is in the home in which Christ is the head! The family altar is established where the family meets together about the Word to fellowship with each other and the Lord Himself. Christ exalted in the home means that the children will be brought up in the “nurture and admonition of the Lord.” The Lord Jesus heard the earnest plea of this father, but even so we read that “ as He went” there was an interruption, a delay. The c r o w d thronged Him, and one touched Him with the touch of f a i t h and was healed. But this delay did not mean that He had forgotten Jairus and his great need. He knew about the little daughter growing steadily worse for He is God. The delayed answers to our prayers do not mean that our Great High Priest has not heard our earnest heart cries nor does it mean that our petitions will not be an swered. Often He waits to be gracious (Isa. 30:18). Faith on the part of the intercessor needs to be strengthened. Eyes need to be focused on the Lord instead of upon the problem. The woman with the twelve year infirmity is healed, but even as the Lord Jesus is speaking to her words of comfort and peace, one from Jairus’ house brings the sad and seemingly, hopeless message, “ Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the master.” The one for whom the father so earnestly sought h e l p has grown worse. She is dead! For a moment it looks as though his pleading has been all in vain. The words, “ trouble not the master” express the attitude of many to-day whose prayers are un answered. But God’s delays, as in this case, do not mean that He has not heard or that He does not care. The delay may be for His glory, [It is so easy to look at the object of prayer instead of to the One who alone can answer prayer.] Hear His gracious words, “ Believe only.” Yes, though answers to our prayers are delayed, let us keep our eyes upon Him, claim
ing His promises. “Who is among you that feareth the Lord . . . and hath no light?, let him trust in the name of the Lord and stay upon His God” (Isa. 50:10). The delay ended, the Lord Jesus in answer to the request of the father, “ came into the house” (See verse 41b). What a wonderful experience— to have the Lord Jesus as the honored guest in the home! This He delights to be. What changes are wrought when He is thus honored! The Lord Jesus found sadness and tears in this home as he entered with the parents and His three disciples Peter, James and John. The “ one and only little daughter” was dead. The paid mourners were already bewail ing her. But before the miracle could be performed or the heart cry -of these parents answered, all unbelief must be put out of the home. And we read “He put them all out,” “ those who laughed Him to scorn.” Could it be that un belief in any form in your life and mine, is delaying the answer to our prayers? May we all “ examine” our selves before Him that all unbelief might be put out. The Lord Jesus then with those who believed and loved the little maid, entered the chamber of death and He “ took her by the hand . . . saying, ‘Maid, (child, my little one) arise’ . . . and she arose straightway.” The little girl received physical life. The miracle was wrought by the tender touch of His hand and by His own gracious words. So today the miracle of regeneration is wrought by the Word of God ministered by the Holy Spirit (I Pet. 1:23) as with a tender yet a strong grasp of His hand, He lifts the one dead in trespasses and sin up from the “miry clay” and places his feet upon the Rock, Christ Jesus. He is able to give both physical and spiritual life. Having received life there was no need for her to stay any longer upon the couch of sickness and death. She had life |— so she began to walk. Thus we who have received everlasting life should separate ourselves from all that pertains to the old life of death and begin to walk in newness of life.
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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