Rise Up!

As He was saying these things (talking about wine skins needing to be new for new wine), suddenly one of the leaders came and knelt down before Him saying, "My daughter is near death, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live". So Jesus and His disciples got up and followed him. Matthew 9:18,19

Again a man, this time a leader, recognises Jesus' deity. He knelt before him. You will not kneel before someone unless you have a revelation that He is mighty, unless you are forced that is.

In the gospel of Mark we come to know the name of this man, he is Jarius. He is a leader of the synagogue. This was huge for him. He has, by his actions, given up his position and authority as his fellow leaders who opposed Jesus would not let him get away with this. What would he now do? How would he provide for his family.

Perhaps this all weighed on Jarius for days, but now his daughter, who he  loves dearly is dying. Did his wife prompt him? Did a servant? Who in his household followed Jesus and believed? Jarius obviously believed because of his actions. How did he come to believe? Had the Holy Spirit been working in his heart, drawing him? Had he secretly been following Jesus? What is his story?

Jesus got up immediately, He did not say anything. However, we know that faith moved Jesus, so we can be sure that faith was present. Faith comes by hearing the word of God, Jarius would have to have heard Jesus.

As Jesus is delayed on His journey Jarius' daughter is dead when they arrive. This does not faze Jesus as He knows who rules over death. All He had to do is take the girl by the hand and she rose up. Jarius had a miracle that cemented his faith. He could never go back to a life of mere rules and regulations, He had found the answer.

Jarius is not mentioned again but we can be sure he became a disciple and probably was there when the Holy Spirit was poured out at Pentecost. Perhaps he was one of the members of the early church. How did 'The Way' change him and his household?

How does The Way change us and our households? We can never be the same again! Amen!

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