Self-denied Place

Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there.

The place where Jairus is, is a most unusual place for someone of his class, standing and position to be. Mark gives this interesting detail to us which allows us to see the mind and nature of answered prayer. We are told that Jesus has once again crossed over by boat, to the other side of the lake. There, on the lakeshore, a huge crowd has gathered to hear Him, receiving His healing touch. This is what the ordinary people, those who are not learned, do, as the common people follow Jesus at will.

Get this cemented in your heart. This is not in the temple area, or in a synagogue, or on the streets of the town where all kinds of people are more than likely to meet Jesus. No! This is an out of the way area, the landing area if you like, the place from which one now has to travel to one’s destination. But note! Yes, look with awe and holy zeal, as the common people make it a destination for Jesus. They are there by the lake and right there is where Jesus spends time to accommodate those who have come to this place especially for Him. It is here, in this ordinary place, where the common folk gather as sheep seeking a shepherd that the synagogue ruler comes. In leaving all his traditions, his hierarchical status and religious standing in the community, Jairus makes the journey – however long or short - to where Jesus is. This is no spiritually virtual move. Absolutely not! Jairus makes a spiritually actual move.

The first point noted in answered prayer, is the place where the prayer is. It is a place which bears full testimony to the total dying to self, of the one who is praying.

So what does Jesus see? He sees a person who has died to all of self and has come to a place which the lowly, hungry and needy gladly come, without thinking twice.

To what place are you coming to see Jesus? Yours may not be a physical place, but a psychological place. Perhaps, because of your years of being a Christian and serving the Lord, you see yourself as different from the ordinary people who are not Christians as you are. You are a recognized leader and will not, for example be found in any line or group of people who are responding to an altar call to come to Jesus and receive. You do not see yourself kneeling with the non-Christians, who are now looking for Jesus. However, if your need is beyond you and you deny all of who you are and how others see you, to come to Jesus, He will never deny you, for He sees your self-denial.

The Lord still honours self-denial.