Becoming a Righteous Man
In the Gospel of Mark, we find the story of Jairus. Jairus was an important man who was a leader in the community and the church. Many people who knew him knew he was a VIP. But his little girl was dying! His importance vanished because his little girl was dying. He became just a desperate and needy man. No matter what position we may hold in life, we all find ourselves in the same position when death comes to our families. Death does not respect anyone’s status in life.
This very important person named Jairus now humbles himself before The Lord. Groveling in the dirt at the feet of Jesus he begs for his little girl to be healed. Jesus answers his prayer and the little girl lives. The Bible tells us, that the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. When Jairus prayed for his little girl, Jesus stopped what He was doing to answer his prayer. The prayer was effective because Jairus was a righteous man.
But when and how did Jairus become a righteous man? Was he a righteous man because he was a VIP? Did the fact that he was a leader in the community and the church make him righteous? Could it have been his knowledge of God that made him righteous? No! None of these things contributed to his righteousness. Jairus became righteous when he threw himself in the dirt and groveled at the feet of Jesus. The Word of God gives us this promise. If we Humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord, He will lift us up.
Maybe the thought of groveling at the feet of Jesus seems unpleasant to you. If so, then remember that the Bible says you should clothe yourselves with humility. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore under God’s mighty hand, that He May lift you up in due time. It was humility that made Jairus righteous. You can be sure that the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous. His ears are attentive to their prayers.
“And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him.
While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.” But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.”
When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead.
But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat.”
Luke 8:41-42, 49-55 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/luk.8.41-55.NKJV
Douglas & Deborah Huff
From Down Where the Pavement Ends
Email-pavementendsministry@gmail.com
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