18 While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. 20 And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21 for she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” 22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well. 23 And when Jesus came to the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, 24 he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. 25 But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 And the report of this went through all that district. (Also read Luke 8:40-56 for the same account).
Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, a person who held a very high position of influence knelt before the Lord. The woman left unnamed, who suffered from the issue of blood, a person who held a very low position of influence falls on her knees when Jesus acknowledges her (see Luke passage). They both came humbly before the Lord. They both came with faith. These accounts of faith are given in contrast to the crowd inside Jairus’ house who had been summoned to mourn the death of Jairus’ daughter. When Jesus spoke to them, there was defiant laughter not faith. He had to put them outside. Their eyes saw death, and they could not muster up even a mustard seed of faith. This unbelief led them to miss the opportunity the amazing miracle Jesus was about to perform.
What can we learn from this account? All who come to the Lord come humbly acknowledging that He is Lord over all situations – death, sickness, adversity. All come with faith, even the smallest amount. Mark 9:14-25 is an account of a father with an epileptic son who cries out before the Lord, “I believe, help me with my unbelief!” That little mustard seed of faith led to the miracle. Hold fast to your faith, even when the situation appears impossible to you. God is the God over the impossible, God over the unbeatable, God over the unchangeable.
Swahili:
Mathayo 9:18-26
18 Alipokuwa akisema hayo, tazama, ofisa mmoja akaingia, akampigia magoti, akisema, Binti yangu amekufa hivi punde, lakini njoo uweke mkono wako juu yake, naye ataishi. 19 Yesu akasimama, akamfuata pamoja na wanafunzi wake. 20 Na tazama, mwanamke aliyekuwa na ugonjwa wa kutokwa na damu kwa muda wa miaka kumi na miwili akaja nyuma yake na kugusa upindo wa vazi lake, 21 kwa maana alijisemea: “Nikigusa tu vazi lake, nitapona. ” 22 Yesu akageuka, akamwona, akamwambia, Jipe moyo mkuu, binti; imani yako imekuponya.” Na papo hapo yule mwanamke akapona. 23 Yesu alipofika nyumbani kwa yule ofisa mkuu, akawaona wapiga filimbi na umati wa watu wakifanya ghasia, 24 akasema, "Ondokeni, kwa maana msichana hakufa bali amelala usingizi." Nao wakamcheka. 25 Lakini umati wa watu ulipotolewa nje, akaingia ndani, akamshika mkono, na yule msichana akasimama. 26 Habari hiyo ikaenea katika wilaya ile yote. (Soma pia Luka 8:40-56 kwa habari hiyohiyo).
Yairo, mkuu wa sinagogi, mtu aliyekuwa na cheo cha juu sana cha ushawishi alipiga magoti mbele ya Bwana. Mwanamke aliyeachwa bila jina, ambaye aliteseka kutokana na suala la damu, mtu ambaye alishikilia nafasi ya chini sana ya ushawishi huanguka magoti yake wakati Yesu anamkubali (angalia kifungu cha Luka). Wote wawili walikuja kwa unyenyekevu mbele za Bwana. Wote wawili walikuja na imani. Masimulizi hayo ya imani yanatolewa tofauti na umati ndani ya nyumba ya Yairo ambao walikuwa wameitwa kuomboleza kifo cha binti Yairo. Yesu alipozungumza nao, palikuwa na kicheko cha ukaidi sio imani. Ikabidi awaweke nje. Macho yao yaliona kifo, na hawakuweza kukusanya hata mbegu ya imani ya haradali. Kutokuamini huku kuliwafanya kukosa fursa ya muujiza wa ajabu ambao Yesu alikuwa karibu kufanya.
Tunaweza kujifunza nini kutokana na simulizi hili? Wote wanaokuja kwa Bwana huja kwa unyenyekevu wakikiri kwamba Yeye ni Bwana juu ya hali zote - kifo, magonjwa, shida. Wote huja na imani, hata kiasi kidogo. Marko 9:14-25 ni simulizi la baba mwenye mtoto mwenye kifafa ambaye analia mbele za Bwana, “Naamini, nisaidie katika kutokuamini kwangu!” Hiyo mbegu ndogo ya haradali ya imani iliongoza kwenye muujiza. Shikilia sana imani yako, hata wakati hali inaonekana kuwa haiwezekani kwako. Mungu ni Mungu juu ya yasiyowezekana, Mungu juu ya yasiyoweza kushindwa, Mungu juu ya yasiyoweza kubadilika.
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