June 30

At the Point of Death

A synagogue leader named Jairus arrived, and seeing Jesus, he fell at His feet and pleaded with Him urgently, “My little daughter is near death. Please come and place Your hands on her, so that she will be healed and live.” — Mark 5:22-23 BSB

Trouble often drives people to Christ. When life is easy and prosperous, many don’t feel the need to seek Him. But when illness or tragedy strikes, He is the first one they turn to. This is one of the most important purposes of adversity. God sometimes stirs up our earthly nests to push us toward heavenly things. There are many people in heaven today who would never have left their worldly lives if not for the troubles God sent their way.

This father came to Jesus because his daughter was “at the point of death.” It’s a point every one of us will face one day. The paths of life may be diverse, but they all eventually lead to this “point of death.” We don’t know when we will reach it, but we should all be prepared for it. Even children should think about death, not with fear, but with the understanding that it’s part of life, and something to be ready for.

It’s touching to see this father fall at Jesus’ feet. Even the strongest men break down when their children are in danger. A man who may seem cold and unfeeling in his daily struggles melts with tenderness when his child is ill. Behind the sternest exterior, there’s often a heart as gentle as a mother’s when it comes to the love of a child.