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?” ³⁶ Overhearing^[a] what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Mark 5:35-36

After you buy the miracle chopper, tube of caulk or knife set, there is one more problem. You did everything on a whim. You saw the commercial, heard that you would get two sets of knives if you ordered right now and so you did. You called and now you wait. For all that energy and immediate action, you would think that somehow the knives could show up this afternoon, or tomorrow at the latest. No. Remember the theme of these commercials: “Wait, wait, there’s more.” They meant it. Wait, wait, you’ll wait some more before they show up.

Jairus certainly knew about this. The miracle that he hoped for wasn’t working out. He had hoped that he could hurry Jesus along so that Jesus could heal his daughter. But he had to wait, wait for the healing of the woman who had touched Jesus and then was found to be reassured of her healing.  All this is well and good, but look at the time! Then the messengers come to say that his daughter has died. It’s all too late. All that waiting and he couldn’t deliver Jesus in time to his door.

But Jesus knew exactly the gifts he was bringing and that his delivery was perfectly on time. Don’t despair, Jairus, just believe. And so, Jesus calmly, fearlessly goes to the little girl, takes her hand and raises her up. Jairus hoped that Jesus would bring healing. But wait, there was far more in Jesus’ plan. He brings resurrection and a fearlessness even in the face of death.

When we ask for this year’s blessings, we are like Jairus. We ask for the blessings we’ve seen others receive and we hope that our share comes quickly. But perhaps the first gift is waiting, trusting God’s delivery plan. And then with faith, we see that God can provide all we need, both what we might have expected and also far more. Wait, wait, this new year, there’s more to what God can do.

Our heavenly Father, thank you for the first gift of your presence with us as we wait. Give us patience and trust in you as you bring all we need for this year, both what we expect and the more you have in mind. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. ²⁶ She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. ²⁷ When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, ²⁸ because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Mark 5:25-18

Those TV commercials that sell the magic chopper, tube of caulk or set of knives always promise something more. But besides telling you that you are getting two magic choppers for $19.95, they also tell you to hurry. If you call within the next 30 minutes, then you get the second set of knives free, plus a separate charge for shipping and handling of course. There’s a deal here but don’t wait. Hurry!

Jairus would have understood that urgency. In Monday’s devotion we left Jairus as he hurried Jesus along to his house to heal his desperately ill daughter. But wait, Jairus, there’s more here!  This woman has come through the crowd to be healed. She is the complete opposite of Jairus as she comes without notice and hopes to touch Jesus for an instant only. But wait, there’s also more for her.

The healing comes instantly just as she hoped, but then Jesus stops walking. To everyone’s’ surprise, and likely to Jairus’ annoyance, Jesus wouldn’t go forward until the woman came forward and he could assure her that her faith had made her well and she could go in peace. What a wonderful blessing beyond merely the hidden touch. She could go home in peace and wake up the next morning confident that her healing was complete.

Meanwhile Jairus has had to wait. But don’t despair, Jairus. Jesus knows exactly what he is doing and what is happening. Even when it seems that Jesus has taken time and energy to solve a problem that is not life-threatening, while Jairus’ daughter is actually dying, it will all work out.

Perhaps as you begin this new year, you feel like Jairus. Your needs are crushing and urgent. And yet, you see God healing others and solving problems that don’t seem nearly as important as yours. Wait, wait, there’s more to come. Have the faith of the woman who hoped for only a brief touch and got so much more. Stay near Jesus to hear him say to you also, “Your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

Our heavenly Father, thank you that you see all our needs, large and small. While our own needs seem so big, remind us that you have all of us in your hands and in your time, you bring us your answer, more than we had expected. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen

Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet and implored him earnestly, saying, “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. And he went with him. Mark 5: 22-23

I love those TV commercials that sell the miracle chopper, the amazing tube of caulk, or the fantastic set of knives. They’re usually priced at $19.95, plus shipping. But wait, wait, there’s more!

There’s always something more. That’s the fun of watching. I don’t want the chopper, the caulk or the knives, but I like betting on what the “something more” is going to be. A second chopper, another tube of caulk, or maybe the extra paring knife. No matter if I guess right or not, there’s always something more.

The Gospel of Mark could be called the Gospel of Something More. Mark often begins a story, such as the healing of the daughter of Jairus. But before we get to the climax of the story, another story comes and Mark tells us that account. Then, he returns to the first account and tells us the ending that we were expecting all along. Instead of rushing forward, Mark trains us to be patient and to trust that the conflict will be resolved and the healing done.

As we start the new year, maybe we’re at the beginning of a story told slowly and in parts. We might want to rush forward and find out exactly what’s going to happen to us. After all, we might, like Jairus, have serious needs. Couldn’t God just get to the ending now and tell us how this year will turn out?

But God isn’t only about the ending but the journey he takes with us. Jairus would have loved if Jesus had said, “No worries, I’ve just healed your daughter.” But that didn’t happen and Jairus had to take the long journey home, wondering what he would find. But don’t despair, Jairus. Wait, walk, there’s something more coming. And the same advice might come to us. Don’t despair. Don’t give up if you can’t read the end of the story from here. Wait and keep walking and remember that there is more. The greatest “More” is Jesus himself who walks with us and will tell Jairus and us, “Do not fear, only believe.”

Our heavenly Father, thank you for giving us the promise that life has more than what meets the eye. Give us patience and trust in you and continue to walk with us, hearing our prayers, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen