.jpg)
The Helpless Ruler (1 of 3)
Series: Luke
D. Marion Clark
Luke 8:40-56
Introduction
Have you ever felt helpless? I don't mean helpless figuring out how to operate electronic gadgets or how to communicate with a customer service representative. But have you felt helpless wanting to help someone you love and not having the power to do so? That is a father's dilemma in our story.
Text
Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41 And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus' feet, he implored him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying.
Jesus has returned to the area where he had been teaching before his stormy cross over the lake. He is a celebrity now, and the crowds gather to meet him. Then follows a most pitiable scene. A father falls at Jesus' feet pleading for the life of his daughter. Let's consider this man.
His name is Jairus, and he is described as ''a ruler of the synagogue.'' A synagogue is the equivalent to a Christian church. Only in the temple in Jerusalem could sacrifices be offered to God, but worship could take place in local assemblies. Jesus often taught in synagogues as a visiting teacher. As a ruler of the local synagogue, Jairus is responsible to see that everything was provided for the worship services. It is a position of high responsibility and consequently of dignity.
He would also be representative of the established religious authority. I add this last part to remind us that, though Jesus had become a celebrity to the crowds, he was still viewed with some suspicion by the religious authorities. He was overly familiar with ''sinners.'' He worked on the Sabbath, i.e. he healed on that day. He had presumptuously forgiven a man his sins, and so on.
We do not know what Jairus' attitude had been toward Jesus, though it is likely that Jesus had taught in his synagogue. What ...
Series: Luke
D. Marion Clark
Luke 8:40-56
Introduction
Have you ever felt helpless? I don't mean helpless figuring out how to operate electronic gadgets or how to communicate with a customer service representative. But have you felt helpless wanting to help someone you love and not having the power to do so? That is a father's dilemma in our story.
Text
Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41 And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus' feet, he implored him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying.
Jesus has returned to the area where he had been teaching before his stormy cross over the lake. He is a celebrity now, and the crowds gather to meet him. Then follows a most pitiable scene. A father falls at Jesus' feet pleading for the life of his daughter. Let's consider this man.
His name is Jairus, and he is described as ''a ruler of the synagogue.'' A synagogue is the equivalent to a Christian church. Only in the temple in Jerusalem could sacrifices be offered to God, but worship could take place in local assemblies. Jesus often taught in synagogues as a visiting teacher. As a ruler of the local synagogue, Jairus is responsible to see that everything was provided for the worship services. It is a position of high responsibility and consequently of dignity.
He would also be representative of the established religious authority. I add this last part to remind us that, though Jesus had become a celebrity to the crowds, he was still viewed with some suspicion by the religious authorities. He was overly familiar with ''sinners.'' He worked on the Sabbath, i.e. he healed on that day. He had presumptuously forgiven a man his sins, and so on.
We do not know what Jairus' attitude had been toward Jesus, though it is likely that Jesus had taught in his synagogue. What ...
There are 13408 characters in the full content. This excerpt only shows a 2000 character sample of the full content.
Price: $5.99 or 1 credit
