still she was not better. She continued
to weaken, losing awareness of where
and deeper until death seemed the only exit. In
the Jewish tradition, twelve years old is the age
at which a girl becomes a woman. However, this
was not the dawn of adulthood but the darkening
dusk of her life.
what might be her last moments and his last opportu-
nity to assure her of his undying love? Yes. Some said
Jesus was a heretic, and He angered the Jewish lead-
ers with His attitude toward their cherished customs,
but He did heal people. Maybe, just maybe, if Jairus
ran fast enough, pleaded hard enough, he could bring
Jesus here. Could this little one hang on? Could he get
to Jesus and bring Him back in time?
the door and running down the street. What was going
on? Where was he headed? Shouldn't he be here to
hold his dying child and hug his grieving wife?
dignity here, only desperation. "My little girl is dying.
swept aside as a woman, sick for as many years as
healed. Jesus took His time to heal her. Jairus was
comforted to see that Jesus could indeed heal, but his
daughter was dying! Couldn't this woman who had
been sick for so long wait just a few more minutes?
Couldn't Jesus hurry things along?
35). The words struck his heart like a spear; his knees
buckled. The journey of hope ended on that dusty
street. But Jesus turned to him and said, "Don't be
afraid. Just have faith" (vs. 36). So they continued on
in pursuit of another miracle.