Christian Living

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There is a poignant little story in three of the Gospels about Jairus' twelve year old daughter who was grievously ill. Jesus had been summoned by the anxious father to come heal his child. But there was a crowd around our Lord, and an interruption ensued. A woman was healed by touching His garment, and when He recognized power had gone from him, He asked who had touched Him. She fell at his feet confessing all, and received His commendation for her great faith. Then friends came to Jairus and said, "Don't trouble the Teacher any longer; your child has died." But Jesus said to him, "Be not afraid; only believe," and they proceeded to Jairus's home. Clearing the house of mourners who mocked Him, Jesus took the parents and three of His disciples into the room where the child lay. He said, "Little girl, arise." And she did. Immediately Jesus told them to give her something to eat. The Son of God had raised the child from the dead, but He recognized her humanity and took time to see that her need for food was filled also. How all-encompassing is His love! It seems such a tender thing to me that after restoring her life, He sensed her physical hunger and asked that she be given food, knowing and caring enough to fill every need: a metaphor for that same knowing and caring for us and all our needs. In Him we have new life, and He is the Bread of Life to us.

Another time the disciples became agitated when little children were brought to Him. But He said, "Let the little children come to me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God. And He took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them and blessed them." Ah, the gentle Jesus, so kind to the most vulnerable members of society. And He would have us be like Him.

Scripture would seem to indicate rather strongly that Jesus was most upset with man's inhumanity to man. In the temple on the Sabbath Day there was a man with a withered hand. Jesus asked the crowd, "Is it lawful to do good or evil on the Sabbath?" No answer. And Scripture says Jesus looked at the crowd "with anger at the hardness of their hearts." Then he healed the man's crippled hand.

We have a powerful example in the gentle Jesus. Why is it so easy for us to look away from those who are lowly, beaten-down, disabled, the dregs of society? Especially the children caught in those circumstances? In that sweet "Come unto me" invitation, Jesus said, "For I am meek and lowly in heart", and He is, in Word and deed. We would do well not to trample the weak because they have no voice and tend to die quietly. All heaven is watching.

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