The miracles that we expect from God in our lives do not always come according to our timing, nor do they always look like we want them to. How often do we desire God’s quick action rather than trust God’s timing? Surely Jairus has this same feeling; after all, his daughter is dying. He needs a miracle now—before it is too late.
Jairus is an important man. Perhaps in his mind or even in the minds of others, his situation would take precedence over others in need. But as Jairus and Jesus travel to his house, a woman in the crowd makes a risky decision and acts on it. Jesus stops to converse with the unclean woman. He heals her; he does not go immediately to Jairus’s house.
As Jesus’ encounter with the woman comes to a close, people arrive from Jairus’s house to relay the bad news: His daughter is dead. There is no point in taking Jesus any farther. The funeral is already being planned; the mourners are in place.
Jesus now faces another situation that seems to be beyond help. The miracle Jairus needed was waylaid; Jesus’ help comes too late. But the case is not closed. Jesus can still heal, even in this situation. When he arrives at the house, Jesus contradicts the logic of the people, takes the daughter by the hand and orders her to stand up, “‘Talitha cum,’ which means, “Little girl, get up!’” She arises and a miracle comes to her family. Even though the miracle does not follow Jairus’s timetable, the result is perfect. God does not always act according to our plans or timing. But our faith opens the door for healing action.