FRIDAY 22nd MAY 2020

FRIDAY 22 MAY 2020

Good morning friends,

"If I were a rich man Ya ba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dum All day long I'd biddy biddy bum If I were a wealthy man I wouldn't have to work hard Ya ba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dibba dum If I were a biddy biddy rich Yidle-diddle-didle-didle man"

You will recognise these words from the musical Fiddler on the Roof, sung by the character Teve, a poor man.

As you know he goes on to list all the things that would enrich his life if he only had the money to buy them.

He was a man who wanted to have the best for his wife and daughters, but, we know as the story unfolds, he comes to realise that there are more important things in life which great wealth could never buy.

Yesterday we spoke of a woman who was poor, and had low status. Today we meet a man who is wealthy, and who had a high standing in the community. His name is Jairus.

However, for all his position of great social standing, and security, he comes to find himself in a place of great vulnerability, for his young daughter is very ill. The account is in the same passage in Mark as yesterday.

The contrasts between the woman and the man are great.

The woman an intensely private person comes to Jesus secretly, but her healing takes place in public

Jairus, a highly public person comes to Jesus in full view of the crowds, but his daughter is healed in secret.

But, it’s interesting to see that both fall on their face before Jesus, and for both touch plays an important role.

Both express the confidence that the very touch of Jesus will bring the healing they are desperate to find.

The woman wanted only to touch Jesus cloak, Jairus believes the touch of Jesus will heal his child.

Then, bad news........as Jesus is tending to the woman word comes that the little girl is has died. No need for Jesus to come................but, Jesus says to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid, only believe”

Jesus goes to the house where the little girl is laid out, and tells all those gathered to leave, apart from three of his disciples and the girls’ parents.

Then the healing touch of Jesus lifts the little girl up, and she begins to walk round the room.

He tells the parents not to tell anyone what happened, and then............you just have to love Jesus don’t you? For his next concern is a practical one, give the child something to eat.

Life is restored and a family discover the riches of God’s grace.

At the heart of these accounts is Jesus, who wakens faith in very different people and brings healing and life. He did when he walked the earth, and he does today as His Spirit moves within us and around us.

Where Jesus is there is life, where is healing happens. He is in the world, accessible, trailing the hem of his garment which people can touch, find life, and discover the kingdom.