Self-humbling Posture

Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet.

Note, this is taking place in an area where the likes of people like Jairus are not ordinarily found. As we know, Jairus is a ruler of the synagogue. Synagogue rulers were people who held a number of positions of authority in the synagogue. They were responsible for the maintaining and running of the synagogue, and ensuring that nothing outside the law took place there. In addition, they would be the ones who taught religious classes, especially in the smaller villages. They were usually well-known and well-respected men in their communities. It is safe to say that Jairus is not a person given to subservience to others who are below his ranking.

Certain facts are to be publicized here, facts that we cannot simply brush under a carpet, because of present circumstances. This is what I mean. Leaders, like synagogue rulers, have not been very gracious to the Rabbi called Jesus, from Galilee. In fact, they think that He is not genuine as He makes all kinds of sacrilegious claims about Himself and Jehovah. The truth is that it is highly unlikely that any such religious man would be caught responding to this lawless Rabbi, as the uneducated masses do, running behind Him as He alights from a boat. But here is Jairus, forgetting all about himself and his past thoughts and mind about the Rabbi from Galilee and when he sees Him, this synagogue ruler drops down at the feet of Jesus.

Be realistic here. Don’t you see Jairus in his usual garb, which synagogue rulers wore, so all would recognize who they were? Yes with his specially appointed clothes, he forgets all about that and literally throws himself at the feet of Jesus. He has no care about who is seeing him, or what they may be saying about him. Can’t you see that he only has eyes for Jesus and Jesus alone? Not only that, but look at the place where Jesus is. He has not left the lakeside and is on some village road or some green, lush mountainside. No! He has just landed and there, people are gathered. Don’t you see that to be on the ground in your good clothes by the lakeside, means getting yourself all dirty? But Jairus’ mind is not on such temporal matters. With all eyes on him, he willingly and in honour, reverence and total deference to the Rabbi, is at His feet. What a public declaration!

What is your posture before Jesus? Yours may not be a physical posture, but a psychological one. Perhaps, because of your membership in your Church community, you have been leading, teaching, and guiding people for years. Deep within, you see yourself more deserving of blessings from God than others, who do not sacrifice to God, or respect Him as you do. You come in prayer, but you are holding on to poisonous pride and deadly arrogance, both of which Father God detests. You will bow your head in reverence, but you will not readily throw yourself at the feet of Jesus, especially when it is a most inconvenient and messy place.

Nevertheless, if you are truly and sincerely at the end of your tether, if you have been brought to the lowest of the low, in terms of what you desire from Jesus, then you will learn genuine subservience. Jesus will see you at His feet and give you His undivided attention. Though scores of others are around Him, Jesus will see you. He will acknowledge your posture of self-humbling.

The Lord still honours self-humbling.