“The secret to multitasking is that it isn't actually multitasking. It's just extreme focus and organization.” (Joss Whedon)
I would admit that Jesus was the ultimate
multitasker. He could have multiple situations put before Him (almost at the
same time) that required His healing touch. Jesus manages to give anyone who
comes to Him the dignity and attention they deserve as a child of God. This
story takes place by a lake with a large crowd of people (much like a musical
artist performing in a large auditorium).
Our two main characters are a worried synagogue ruler named “Jairus” and
an unnamed desperate woman with a debilitating disease. (Let’s call her
“Lonnelle.”)
Jairus pushes through the large crowd, and
kneels in front of Jesus (in complete humility) begging for the life of his unnamed
12 year-old daughter who is dying. We’ll call her “Janiece.” He wants Him to
come to His house, and heal her. Character number two quietly slips into the
large mass of people that all want to get to Jesus. For 12 years Lonnelle has
had an illness that no doctor knows how to heal. Her money is all gone in
trying to find a solution. (Doesn’t that sound familiar to some people?)
The Bible
does not tell us Lonnelle’s age, or anything about her immediate family. We
do know that her menstrual cycle (or period) had been happening for 12 years
with no sign of stopping. Women, think of the bloating, cramping, moodiness, the
exhaustion, and the slow constant bleeding never ending (or at least it seemed
like this to Lonnelle). Remember, in these days sanitary products didn’t exist.
The washing of rags used for this purpose would be a constant unpleasant reminder
of her illness. (I am not an expert on this stuff. You can thank a chat with my wife, Bobbi, for the information on the "female side" of Lonnell's illness.)
The Old Testament law had this to say about
Lonnell’s condition in Leviticus 15:25-27 (MSG): If a woman has a discharge of blood
for many days, but not at the time of her monthly period, or has a discharge
that continues beyond the time of her period, she is unclean the same as during
the time of her period. Every bed on which she [lays on] during the time of the discharge, and everything on which she sits
becomes unclean the same as in her monthly period. Anyone who touches these
things becomes unclean and must wash his clothes and bathe in water; he remains
unclean until evening.
Purification [of
uncleanliness] always involved waiting a period of time (until evening for
minor cases, eighty days for the birth of a daughter), and could also involve
ritual washings symbolizing cleansing, atoning sacrifices, and priestly
rituals. "Unclean" objects required purification by water (wood,
cloth, hide, sackcloth) or fire (metals), or were destroyed (clay pots, ovens),
depending on the material. [i]
Lonnelle’s faith in Jesus was so strong that
she knew touching any part of Him could heal her. Jesus was her last chance at
normal life. From what she’d her about this kind man, His healing was always
free. (That was a good thing because she was broke.)
With the last of her ebbing strength,
Lonnelle reached to touch the only part of Jesus she could get to (the back
bottom hem of His robe). Immediately, Lonnelle felt a divine surge of energy
surge through her female area. The
debilitating bleeding had finally stopped. Lonnelle felt like crying as she
wondered why she hadn’t come to Jesus sooner.
Jesus was wise. In the midst of this crowd, He knew someone
had gotten powerful healing from Him (without a casual introduction). Lonnelle
knew Jesus was looking for her. How long could she hide from Him. Whatever He
was whispering to Peter didn’t make sense to him according to his facial
gestures.
Quickly, Lonnelle stood before Jesus. His
smile and affirming words of her helped her to realize her faith in Him had
been the right thing do. As this event concluded, Jairus’ servant broke through
the crowd to tell him Janiece was dead.
Did you know the number twelve is a
predominant theme in this story? Lonnelle had been ill for twelve years.
Janiece was twelve, which is about the time she would have also gotten her
period. It’s just something to think about. Possibly, while Janiece’s monthly
menstrual cycle was just beginning. Finally, Lonnelle’s disastrous,
never-ending menstrual cycle had concluded.
Jesus took Peter, James, and John to Jairus’
home. As they entered the home, the funeral flutes were already as people wept
at the death of such a young lady. Of course, when Jesus stated that Janiece
was only sleeping (and not dead), the mourning stopped and laughter was
directed at Him. (Why do we underestimate Jesus’ power?)
In Janiece’s room, were her parents, Peter,
and the Man that would make all the difference, Jesus. (Please note, in these stories and parable,
have I rarely seen a mother.) As Jesus holds Janiece’s hand, and tells her to
get up. She does this as the life of this family is happily transformed by
Jesus. As Janiece walks around, the family is completely astonished. Janiece is
given something to eat by her mother (per the request of Jesus). As much as
Jesus might want this event kept quiet, that won’t happen. (It’s hard to keep
God’s goodness to yourself.)
Dallin H. Oaks has this to say: “Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ prepares
you for whatever life brings.” You can’t know what the future will bring,
but you can give that over to a God who does.
For Jairus Lonnelle, they hoped Jesus could give them a positive ending
to their horrible predicaments. What about you? Who has the ability to make
your life turn out as it should? (There
is a divine answer to this simple question that does not involve you.)[ii]
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