Key Texts: Mark 5:21-43
When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.”
So he went with him. And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him.
Sometimes, when I picture a scene like this from Jesus’s life, I wonder about the tremendous expectation that was placed upon him, almost constantly at one point. I wonder about how he, as fully divine, but also fully human, could understand what it is like to have that kind of pressure upon one man.
I wonder about how, though he must have tired, was also ever faithful in responding to the human need that pressed in upon him from all sides.
I think about how I can become tired in my serving others, then feel guilty, thinking about Jesus’s tireless nature and endless compassion.
Who am I to complain – in comparison?
Still, I know we are all simply human, with many frailties and weaknesses. So, we must “do the best we can” and be satisfied with that.
It is a good exercise though to challenge ourselves to new levels of caring.
It is a valid – and important vocation – to answer a call to do just a little more, understand a little better, reach out with a little more compassion, than before.
In that way, we ever appreciate God’s endless, deep, abiding compassion and love for us and all people.
Expectation can be a great burden – that is, the expectation that those in need place upon us at times.
It is also a privilege, a very great privilege, to serve as Jesus served and make some small attempt to love as he loved – time and time again.
IGW3 - In God's Word, In God's Will, In God's Work 