A Desperate Father Meets Jesus

Text: Mark 5:21–43

Introduction:

What do you do when your world falls apart?

That’s not a theoretical question for many of us. Life has a way of bringing us to the end of ourselves. Sometimes it’s sudden—a phone call in the night, a diagnosis, a goodbye you didn’t see coming. Other times, it's a long ache that wears us down slowly.

In today’s passage, we meet a man who was at the edge of despair. Jairus, a synagogue ruler, faced every parent’s nightmare: his daughter was dying. But in his desperation, he encountered Jesus. And everything changed.

This is the first message in our new series: "Encounters with Jesus: Life-Changing Moments When People Met Jesus Personally." These are not just stories from long ago—they are invitations to trust the same Jesus who still walks with the desperate and brings life out of death.

Mark 5:21–43 NKJV

21 Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. 22 And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet 23 and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.” 24 So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him. 25 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. 28 For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” 29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?” 31 But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ” 32 And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” 35 While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” 37 And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 38 Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. 39 When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.” 40 And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. 41 Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. 43 But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.

Let’s begin by talking about the setting,

I. The Setting: Jesus Returns to the Crowds (v. 21)

“And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea.” (Mark 5:21, ESV)

Mark places this account immediately after Jesus’ dramatic encounter with a man with an unclean spirit in the region of the Gerasenes (Mark 5:1–20). After casting out a legion of demons, Jesus is asked to leave by the locals. Now He returns to Jewish territory, probably Capernaum.

Crowds gather quickly—people are hungry, not just for miracles, but many are also curious, skeptical, and needy. This setting is a picture of human longing pressing in on divine presence.

Historical Note: Jesus’ fame is spreading. By this point in His Galilean ministry, He is known as a healer and miracle worker. Wherever He goes, the sick and desperate come. It’s in this chaos of need that Jairus breaks through.

Look again at (v. 22–23)

“Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, 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.’”

II. The Desperate Plea of a Father

Let’s slow down here.

A. Who is Jairus?

He is “one of the rulers of the synagogue”—a man of influence, respect, and spiritual authority in his community. He wasn’t a Pharisee or priest but managed the synagogue affairs—arranging readings, overseeing worship, ensuring the Torah was read correctly.

Cultural Insight: This man is part of the religious establishment that, in general, is growing increasingly hostile toward Jesus (cf. Mark 3:6). Yet in this moment, all that posturing collapses. His daughter is dying.

B. Falling at Jesus’ Feet

This is the posture of humility, submission, and faith. He doesn’t care what his colleagues think. He doesn’t approach Jesus as a leader—but as a father.

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” —1 Peter 5:5

Application: Sometimes, God allows desperation to strip away our self-sufficiency so we finally fall at His feet. Are you willing to humble yourself before Jesus—not as a churchgoer, a leader, or even a parent—but as someone in need of grace?

C. His Earnest Plea

He begs: “Come and lay your hands on her…”

Jairus believes in the physical presence of Jesus. His theology is not fully formed, but his faith is real. He believes Jesus' touch can bring life.

Compare this to the centurion in Matthew 8:8, who said, “Only say the word…” Both men believed Jesus had power—but Jairus was pleading for proximity.

Now, (v. 24a)

“And he went with him.”

III. The Willingness of Jesus

This short phrase is filled with grace.

Jesus could have said, “Wait,” or “I’m too busy,” or “Don’t you remember how your friends treat me?” But He doesn’t.

He goes with him.

This is the heart of Jesus—willing to walk with the broken, to enter their pain, to answer cries of faith.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” —Psalm 34:18

Jesus is not distant. He does not remain aloof. The incarnation itself—God taking on flesh—is the ultimate proof that He is a God who draws near.

IV. Divine Delays Are Not Divine Denials (vv. 24b–34)

As they go, Jesus is interrupted by a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years.

Jairus must have been anxious. His daughter is dying, and Jesus is stopping.

This delay is not accidental—it’s intentional. Jesus teaches Jairus, and us, to trust even when the answer seems postponed.

V. Don’t Be Afraid—Just Believe (vv. 35–36)

"While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, 'Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?' But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, 'Do not fear, only believe.'”

A. The Worst News Arrives

The message Jairus dreaded comes: “Your daughter is dead.”

It's not just a delay anymore—it's too late. Or so it seems.

B. Jesus Overhears and Intervenes

The Greek literally says Jesus “ignored what they said” and turned to Jairus.

“Do not fear, only believe” — two imperatives. Present tense. Keep believing.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” —Psalm 23:4

Application: Faith doesn’t deny reality—it trusts in a greater reality: Jesus is Lord over life and death.

Now we come to (vv. 37–40)

Mark 5:37–40 “37 And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 38 Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. 39 When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.” 40 And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying.”

VI. Faith Walks Through the Valley

A. Mourning in Progress

Professional mourners had already arrived. The scene is loud and chaotic.

Jesus calls death “sleep”— not because she wasn’t truly dead, but because to Him, raising her is as simple as waking someone up.

B. The Crowd ridiculed Jesus

The phrase “Ridiculed Him” could be more literally rendered as “laughed Him to scorn” or “were laughing in His face.”

Their reaction wasn’t a momentary chuckle but a sustained, mocking ridicule, rooted in their literal understanding of Jesus’ words and their conclusion that His claim was absurd.

This ridicule likely involved repeated bursts of scornful laughter, deliberately aimed at shaming Jesus. Though irreverent and shallow, their reaction reveals their certainty that the girl was truly dead—underscoring the dramatic nature of the miracle Jesus was about to perform.

In response, Jesus “put them all outside”—a deliberate and authoritative removal. This was not a polite dismissal but a firm expulsion, demonstrating His divine authority. The mourners’ disbelief disqualified them from witnessing the resurrection, showing that faith, not mockery, gains access to the work of God.

VII. Jesus Speaks Life into Death (vv. 41–43)

"Taking her by the hand he said to her, 'Talitha cumi,'

A. The Tenderness of Jesus

“Talitha cumi” — an Aramaic phrase meaning “Little girl, arise.” It’s the tone a parent might use to wake a child gently in the morning.

This is not a thunderous command—it’s a compassionate call.

“I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” —John 11:25

B. The Power of Jesus

Death obeys His voice.

He reaches across the barrier that no one else can cross and pulls her back.

C. The Practicality of Jesus

“Give her something to eat.”

His power is not only divine—it’s also personal and caring.

Encountering Jesus Brings Resurrection Hope

This entire passage moves from desperation to restoration.

Jairus came with faith, experienced delay, received devastating news, but ultimately witnessed a miracle.

This is what happens when broken people meet the risen Savior.

Application Questions:

Are you willing to humble yourself like Jairus and fall at Jesus’ feet today?

Are you in a season of divine delay? Will you trust Him in the waiting?

Have you heard bad news? Will you choose faith over fear?

Have you forgotten Jesus’ power over death, despair, and hopelessness?

Conclusion:

The story of Jairus is more than a historical account. It’s a testimony to what Jesus does when we bring Him our brokenness. His timing may not be ours, but His power is unfailing.

When Jesus is in the room, death does not get the final word. He still takes people by the hand and says, “Rise.”

"Do not fear, only believe."