Holding Onto Hope for the Ones We Love

Read Mark 5:35-43

While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” –Mark 5:35-36

Jairus occupied the opposite end of the social spectrum from the woman who touched Jesus in the marketplace. He was known and respected in his community. He had power and influence. He was someone whom people approached to ask for wisdom or favors. Yet there is a force that levels the playing field and connects people of all cultures and stations in life: the love of our children.

When Jesus first arrived in Capernaum, Jairus fell at his feet and begged Jesus to come to his house: “My little daughter is dying,” he said. “Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” We can imagine the desperation in his voice. Jairus was not used to bowing before others. Yet the sickness of his daughter brought him to his knees.

As we discussed yesterday, on the way to Jairus’ home, Jesus stopped in the market to recognize and heal a woman who had been sick for twelve years—after all, she was no less a “daughter of Israel.” (Remember that Jesus addressed her as “daughter” when he pronounced her healed.) While Jesus was talking to this woman, though, messengers arrived from Jairus’ house with sad news: “Don’t bother bringing the teacher, your daughter has already passed.”

In the face of this news, Jesus spoke a short but powerful sentence to Jairus: “Do not be afraid; just believe.” By the time Jesus arrived at Jairus’ house, mourners had already gathered. Jesus, though, took Jairus and his wife, along with three of his disciples, into the room where they had laid Jairus’ daughter. Taking her hand, Jesus said, “Talitha koum!” Which means simply: “Little girl, get up!” And she did.

The story echoes some of the great miracles of the prophets—when Elijah breathed new life into the widow of Zarephath’s son (1 Kings 17:17-24); when Elisha raised the son of the Shunammite woman who had given him hospitality (2 Kings 4:8-37). We are meant to marvel at Jesus’ power to restore life, even beyond the threshold of death. But I keep coming back to the simple words that Jesus spoke to Jairus while they were on the way: “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

For the first year and a half after I graduated from seminary, I worked as a chaplain at UNC Children’s Hospital. Every parent I interacted with was scared—something was happening with their child that was beyond their ability to understand or fix. And every parent—even those who were not a part of a faith community—was held up by their faith. What kept them going was a desperate need to believe in a good future for their child.

A little over a week ago, a family in our church shared a prayer with me. While their son is not facing a life-threatening disease (like Jairus’ daughter), their son’s condition has impacted every dimension of his life. As parents, they have chased down every possible treatment to bring him relief and restore wholeness. They shared this prayer with me (and others) who are supporting them in this journey. With their permission, I share this prayer with you. If you are a parent (or grandparent) who is worried about a child, I hope this prayer will bring comfort and strength. If you are not presently in such a situation, perhaps you can think of a parent (or child) who is struggling right now, and offer this prayer on their behalf:

For When Your Child is Hurting:

Oh God, my child is hurting

and I can’t seem to make it better.

Please come and ease the suffering,

and show me if there is something I can do.

Blessed are we who open our palms to you, oh God,

these useless hands that can do nothing.

Blessed are we, released from the isolation of sorrow and given grace to pray:

Oh God, this is your child too.

You know every cell in this one you have made,

every movement of heart and body,

every need before it becomes thought,

every anxiety that keeps them from sleep.

I lift to you this precious child

whose body, mind, and soul you knit together.

Bring every cell, every system into order,

that there may be soundness, wholeness, and healing.

Restore beauty and resilience and hope,

and let the good days outnumber the bad.

Bring to bear any outside influence or resource that could make a difference:

good friends and support systems and kind professionals,

and make it effective, selfless, swift, and strong.

Blessed are we who pray:

Create moment by moment a bridge

from suffering to relief,

from distress to comfort,

from loneliness to loving community,

from the depths to level ground,

and a life that can function, grow, bless, and be blessed.

Amen.

--from The Lives We Actually Have, by Kate Bowler