A Father’s Faith
18 While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her and she will live.” 19 So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples. 20 And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. 21 For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” 22 But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. 23 When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, 24 He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him. 25 But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went out into all that land.
Matthew 9:18-26
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We applaud fathers today! Father’s Day illuminates and distinguishes fathers as positive role models. Over many years, Father’s Day has become a significant event within the life of the church. It is an opportunity for us to celebrate and salute men who are, as the kids say, “handling their business.” There is a clarion call across America for men to become the fathers their families need. Many of those who have answered the call are beginning to acknowledge the necessity of having a relationship with God as part of their quest to be good fathers. Numerous men support their families and communities with renewed enthusiasm, faith, and vigor. For godly men, our first responsibility is to serve God; this includes serving and providing for our families. We are also called to be priests in our homes, churches, and communities. We have an obligation to mentor children and young men, thereby spreading a positive paradigm of fatherhood.
Fatherhood is an awesome responsibility that is very meaningful and fulfilling. We need more fathers involved in ministries in the church to serve as role models and agents of change modeling fatherhood. Today, we are thankful for fathers whose faith in God and responsibility to their family go hand and hand. They teach lessons that only men can teach. These men are precious jewels. They shine in darkness; their worth is immeasurable and they are adored by their children. A few are famous but most are not. Their legacies are unique treasures passed from generation to generation. We stand on their shoulders; we owe them a debt of gratitude and emulation. Thanks to almighty God for godly fathers.
Let me say from the outset, there is no such person as a perfect dad. We are all flawed persons with our feet of clay. Earthly fathers strive for excellence to be the best we can be given our limitations. Don’t underestimate the importance of fathers in the lives of their families, in our communities, nation and in the life of our church.
Consider what it means to be a father of faith for your family.
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18 While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her and she will live.” 19 So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples. Matthew 9:18-19
Our scripture today provides a glimpse into the life of a father whose name is Jairus. His name means "Jehovah enlightens," (the etymology of Jairus comes from the verb to give light; to shine; to enlighten; to illumine). Jairus was the head of a local Sanhedrin or court of elders, supervising the synagogue’s worship and life in the community of Capernaum. No doubt he heard about Jesus as Jesus had left Nazareth and made Capernaum his home, following the death of John the Baptist. It was there that Jesus healed a centurion's servant, Peter's mother-in-law, a paralyzed man who was lowered through a roof, a man who was possessed, and many others who came to see him.
Jairus' daughter was 12 years old and she was deathly ill. This was his only child. Luke abbreviates the original account. Mark and Matthew condense the story even more without mentioning the name of the father at all. Jairus comes to Jesus to ask him to come to his home and save his little girl. Jesus consents and they head toward Jairus’ house. On the way, they are interrupted by a woman who steals a healing from the Lord. The procession stops while the Lord finds out who has secretly sought to touch his garment in search of healing and wholeness. No doubt Jairus is getting more anxious as the Lord delays. As the woman who tried to steal what she wanted without being noticed is exposed, Jesus lets her know that her faith has made her whole. By now they are approaching Jairus’ house and while Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler, and said, “Your daughter is dead. Don't bother the teacher anymore," (8:49). Jesus responded to Jairus saying, "Fear not: believe only and she shall be made whole."
Consider what the example of Jairus means for fathers who emulate his example.
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18 While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her and she will live.” 19 So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples. Matthew 9:18-19
Firstly, a father’s faith invites the Lord into the life of his family.
Jairus is a father who has reverence for the Lord. He is well-regarded in his community. Luke calls him "a ruler (Greek archos) of the synagogue," "the official who has charge of the arrangements for the synagogue services." He isn't the attendant (Greek huperetes, Luke 4:20) who does the actual work, but the synagogue president, the leader. His duties include conducting the synagogue worship and selecting those who are to lead the prayer, read the scriptures, and teach in the service.
Now, this highly respected citizen of Capernaum comes up to Jesus in the multitude of pushing and shoving individuals. They make way for him out of respect, but he is not there to pay his respects to the rabbi. He has been the one responsible for inviting Jesus to participate in the synagogue services since Jesus has taken up residence in Capernaum. But he doesn't come to greet an old friend. His face is ashen, his hands tremble, and when he finally reaches the Master he falls upon his knees before Jesus. The Greek word in Luke's and Mark's accounts is pipto, which means to “fall down, throw oneself to the ground as a sign of devotion, before high ranking persons or divine beings, especially when one approaches with a petition." Matthew uses the more specific word proskuneo, "fall down and worship, do obeisance to, prostrate oneself before, do reverence to, welcome respectfully.” I see his head bowed, his shoulders trembling with emotion. Here is a paradoxical scene: the well-to-do synagogue president utterly humbling himself before the simply-dressed Jesus. He has been waiting for Jesus to return -- hoping he would return in time and now he is here, Jesus is Jairus' last hope.
Mark records Jairus' plea: "My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live" (Mark 5:23). Jairus is on his knees "pleading" with Jesus. The Greek word is parakaleo, which is variously translated, depending upon the context. Here it means, "request, implore, appeal to, and entreat." Please come! Please! So Jesus goes with him.
Have you been where Jairus is? Desperate? Exhausted with worry? Sick with concern? This isn't just a daughter, one of a dozen children. Luke tells us that this is "an only daughter," (Greek word is monogenes). You get the idea that she is the apple of her father's eye -- "Daddy's girl." And now she lies near death. She is twelve years old. We would consider her a child; I'm sure Jairus still did. But girls were considered adults at twelve and boys not until thirteen. She was of marriageable age and yet she lies at the point of death. Jairus is grief-stricken.
You can probably identify with Jairus. Perhaps you've been where he is. But now step back for a moment and consider his faith. What is the condition of his faith? He has heard the report that Jesus' boat is coming. He has left his daughter's side and gone down to the beach to see Jesus as soon as he lands -- he and hundreds of others. From his words in Mark, he seems to believe: "Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live" (Mark 5:23). He believes that if Jesus will just touch the girl, she will be healed and live. Jairus is staking his faith on a touch from Jesus' hand to pull his daughter back from the brink of death. Jairus hopes they will not arrive too late.
Reverence for God will sometimes put you in a situation that has the potential for embarrassment and humiliation. Jairus put the welfare of his child in Jesus’ hands. Jairus put his reputation on the line also. He did not come by night but in full public view. He could have sent servants to find Jesus and bring him to his house but he came himself. Some things are too important to delegate. It should be noted that Jesus and the religious persons of his day were at odds. The Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees did not embrace Jesus and Jesus did not succumb to them. By seeking out Jesus, he was exposing himself to ridicule from those who discounted Jesus. Jairus has a problem he could not solve on his own. He went to Jesus. Given the circumstance of life today with the fabrication of disinformation which has polarized our population, we need fathers who pray and go to Jesus for insight about managing people of faith who disagree with you and you with them.
Consider what it means to invite the Lord into the life of our family.
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20 And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. 21 For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” 22 But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. Matthew 9:20-22
Secondly, a father’s faith persists through life threatening interruptions.
Jairus comes to Jesus because his little girl is deathly ill. When tragedy strikes, it often comes with no warning, crashing down upon us. Jairus’ life was interrupted by tragedy. His only daughter was deathly ill. We are not told what sickness she had but only that it would kill her. Bad things do happen to good people.
Jesus consents and begins to move toward Jairus' home across town. But the crowd is so overwhelming that it is difficult to move at all, much less make rapid progress. There was the crowd that interrupted the progress. There are always those who gather around and impede your progress. You can imagine that all sorts of people were in the crowd.
Then, there was someone else in need that interrupted the progress. Taking advantage of the press of the people, a woman with an incurable hemorrhage came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of his robe. She said to herself, “If I touch even his garments, I shall be made well” (Mark 5:28). Jesus felt that power had gone out of him, then he turned around and asked, 'Who touched my garments?' He realized that this was due to no accidental jostling by the crowd, but by someone's longing for healing. As Jesus looked around, the woman, knowing that she could not escape his notice but that she was now instantly cured, came forward, fell at his feet, and owned up. Jesus stated: “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” Mark 5:34
Jesus has just risen from talking with the woman and sending her on her way; a whole woman for the first time in a dozen years. But at the edge of the tightly-pressed crowd, Jairus can see one of his close friends pushing to where he is. The man's face reflects the message he carries and when he gets close enough his words are grim. Bad news interrupts. "While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler, 'Your daughter is dead,' he said. ‘Don't bother the teacher anymore.’" Mark 5:35
At the words of his daughter's death, Jairus' heart is broken and he begins to weep. But the man's next words are curious: "Don't bother the teacher anymore." The Greek word is skullo, “weary, harass; active trouble, bother, annoy someone." What a strange expression at a time like this. The man who bears the bad news now advises Jairus to impose no further on Jesus.
Jairus is standing near Jesus as the news comes. He hears the words he has been dreading and his immense grief now turns to inconsolable mourning. But like a friend at his side, Jesus intervenes. "Don't be afraid," he says, "Just believe and she will be healed." I can't imagine this scene without seeing Jesus’ arm reaching out to this grieving father and putting his hand on his shoulder. Jesus feels his pain.
Sometimes there comes a time when even solid faith buckles. We hope against hope and then our hopes are dashed. We are tempted to give up and walk away from Jesus. But Jesus doesn't let us go so easily. "Don't be afraid," he says gently. He knows our fears and our limits. But if he goes with us and he can carry us beyond our fears. "Just believe," he says, "and she will be healed."
When your life is interrupted by crowds or by someone who receives what you came to get; and by bad news; remember Jesus’ response to Jairus.
Consider what it means that a father’s faith persists in spite of life-threatening interruptions.
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23 When Jesus came into the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, 24 He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him. 25 But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went out into all that land. Matthew 9:23-26.
Thirdly, a father’s faith listens to Jesus and continues to trust him.
There were other voices heard that day. There was the voice of the one with the dreadful news. There was the voice of those who ridiculed Jesus. Jesus says in the midst of our hopeless situation, don’t be afraid, only believe and trust me, I’ll go with you.
Jesus refuses to leave Jairus alone with his grief but goes with him. Jairus comes to Jesus on the basis of his own worried, hoping faith. But when that fails, Jesus carries him with Jesus’ own faith. Let Jesus’ faith carry you forward to face what you fear and to get beyond whatever diminishes your belief in him.
Jesus simply turned to Jairus and said, ‘Do not fear, only believe.’ When they reached the house to find everyone weeping and wailing, Jesus comforted them with a word of hope, “Why do you make a tumult and weep?” “The child is not dead but sleeping.” Mark 5:36, 39
Consider what it means for a father to listen and trust Jesus.
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23 When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, 24 He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him. Matthew 9:23-24
They scornfully laughed at him. Unbelieving mourners laugh at Jesus. This is the first occasion on which the three of the apostolic band are singled out – Peter, James, and John. They and the parents are the only ones allowed to enter. There is a sacredness in great grief which demands protection from the rude gaze of mere curiosity. Those who were willing to wail so freely were willing to laugh.
Jesus then turned them all outside, allowing only the parents and his closest followers, Peter, James, and John to remain. Then in the presence of these five whose faith he could trust, Jesus commanded the child to get up. Mark records his actual words in Aramaic, Talitha cumi – “Little girl, I say to you, arise,”(Mark 5:41). At once, she rose up and walked; and they were all astonished. Jesus bound them all to silence and told them to give her something to eat. Oh, the gentle thoughtfulness of Christ. When the maid arises, Jesus commands that meat be given to her. Life restored must be supported. Death is the final boundary beyond which even today’s medical knowledge and technology cannot breakthrough, but Jesus can break through with a word of hope and faith that comforts and soothes grieving parents and people.
Consider what it means to trust Jesus when there are those who do not believe in what he can do.
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25 But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went out into all that land. Matthew 9:25-26
A father’s faith invites the Lord into his life and the life of his family / a father’s faith persists through life’s threatening situations / a father’s faith listens to Jesus and continues to trust him.
Consider how your father’s faith invited Jesus into the life of your family; how your faith persisted through life’s threatening situations; how your faith listened to Jesus and trusted him for the outcome.
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Conclusion
Faith of our fathers / Faith of our fathers, living still, / In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword;
Oh, how our hearts beat high with joy / Whene’er we hear that glorious Word!
Our fathers, chained in prisons dark, / Were still in heart and conscience free;
How sweet would be their children’s fate, / If they, like them, could die for thee!
Faith of our fathers, we will strive / To win all nations unto thee;
And through the truth that comes from God, / We all shall then be truly free.
Faith of our fathers, we will love / Both friend and foe in all our strife;
And preach thee, too, as love knows how / By kindly words and virtuous life.
Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death.
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