Father, I realize the world is pretty scrambled right now, but it is surely comforting to see Your hand at work in the midst of it all. May our minds be put at ease, knowing that You are in control. Amen.
Luke 8:41-42, 49-56 (<<click to read the passage)
One of the most frustrating situations to deal with is working under someone with a huge superiority complex. And it happens in every line of work. It can even be an issue in the church. The authoritarian mindset rarely has any leeway and often, as the old adage goes, it’s their way or the highway. They know their level of status and don’t hesitate to throw their weight around. It makes for a miserable work environment. Honestly, (and after working 18 years in the retail industry, I think I have just a tad bit of experience!) that kind of leadership reduces productivity, compliance, and loyalty, not just to them but to the company at large, regrettably.
I have also been blessed to work under individuals who did not have that attitude and it was a joy to work for them – and really it felt more like I was working with them instead of working for them. Those kinds of people inspired me to give it my best and my all. Working together we accomplished great things and I would have done just about anything they asked me to do. They supported and respected me and I wanted to do the same for them.
Another aspect of this passage involves Jairus. Yes, he was a father, but he was also the “leader of the local synagogue”. A man in that position “was responsible for administration, building maintenance, and worship supervision” * of the community’s synagogue.
Synagogues – local facilities set apart for prayer, reading of the Tanakh (the entire Hebrew Bible, including the Torah), study and assembly – were very important places for a Jew, and because of that, the person in charge of the synagogue would have been someone of relatively high standing. He would have been well-educated. One source I read said they probably would have been a rabi.
So here we have Jairus – leader, educated, well-respected in his community – and we have Jesus. Jesus was developing a following amongst the people but at best, at least from a human perspective, He was just a simple itinerant preacher – simple of dress and demeanor. There was nothing flashy or impressive about Him. In fact, the last portion of Isaiah 53:2 (NIV) said as much,
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
But…Jairus “fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come home with him. His only daughter…was dying.”
There was not even a hint of a superiority complex! There was no authoritarian mindset! His humility shines forth! Yes, he was desperate to have Jesus heal his daughter but there is no sign whatsoever of him even pushing down his pride to do what he did. He simply showed a humble faith. And it is clearly seen throughout his entire encounter with Jesus from beginning to end.
Lord Jesus, in a lot of ways, Jairus was like You. Not even really knowing You, he reflected You. May we do no less. Amen.
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
Mar 30th, 2020, Mon, 8:13 pm
