Seek the Lord! – Man as Chaplain
While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler's house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher anymore.” But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. - Luke 8:49-55 ESV
Jairus was a religious man, a ruler of the local synagogue. But he was also a father and one with a desperate need. Remember, you will never become so prominent, so powerful that you rise beyond experiencing the problems of this mortal life. Trouble has a way of finding all of us in this fallen world, and it found Jairus. His little girl, the apple of his eye, was dying. He had to do something, and quickly. He did, and it made all the difference. He went and found Jesus.
Men, what I want us to consider is what Jarius’ daughter would have seen as she reflected on her father’s actions after she grew up. I believe in looking back at this pivotal moment in her childhood, she saw that he was not ashamed to seek out Jesus. He didn’t send a ministry assistant from the synagogue, or his wife, or someone else; he sought the Lord himself. When you took on the role of a father, you took on the responsibilities of the father given to you by the Lord, including spiritual leader. It is all right to let your children see you humbled, that you have limitations, that you don’t have all the answers. It’s okay to let them see you desperate. Yes, it’s even okay to let them see your tears. But they especially need to see you seeking the Lord. Fathers, we must be seekers of Him—seekers of His deliverance, His guidance, His strength, His wisdom—for the sake of our family!
This young girl could also look back fondly and see that her daddy was not ashamed to bring Jesus into their home. There may be people you work with, friends and even family, who may not understand or approve. But as a Christian father, one thing that is a must for your family is the Lord being invited into your home. And not just as a welcome guest, but as the authority figure. When Jesus came into Jarius’ home, He ordered everyone except the girl’s father and mother and His inner circle of disciples to leave. And Jairus submitted to Jesus in his own home. Your home needs to be a place where Jesus is recognized as Lord. One thing our country needs today are Christian homes! Homes where Christ is more than a picture on the wall. A place where Christ is welcome, His presence is acknowledged, His name is honored, His word is obeyed.
What took Jairus from his daughter’s deathbed to desperately seek out a Jewish teacher who was the reputed Messiah? What would cause a man to forget his place in society and what others might think or say? What compelled him to fall at Jesus’ feet and cry out: “I beg you, please come”? The answer is simple: this man loved his little girl! The Scriptures do not tell us how old she lived to be, but I believe there was not a day that went by that this girl didn’t know: “I’m alive today because my daddy’s love for me led him to seek the Lord and bring Jesus into our home!” Lord, give the men in America today that kind of love for their children!
- Men, as you raise your family, has it ever occurred to you what your children will think about Jesus and His place in your life and home when they look back on the experience?
- As chaplains, what kind of example are you setting for your family when it comes to Jesus’ place in your home? Would He be a stranger? Would He be welcome? Would He be recognized as Lord?
- Ask God to help you set an example of seeking Jesus that will have a lasting impact on your children and grandchildren.
While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler's house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher anymore.” But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. - Luke 8:49-55 ESV
Jairus was a religious man, a ruler of the local synagogue. But he was also a father and one with a desperate need. Remember, you will never become so prominent, so powerful that you rise beyond experiencing the problems of this mortal life. Trouble has a way of finding all of us in this fallen world, and it found Jairus. His little girl, the apple of his eye, was dying. He had to do something, and quickly. He did, and it made all the difference. He went and found Jesus.
Men, what I want us to consider is what Jarius’ daughter would have seen as she reflected on her father’s actions after she grew up. I believe in looking back at this pivotal moment in her childhood, she saw that he was not ashamed to seek out Jesus. He didn’t send a ministry assistant from the synagogue, or his wife, or someone else; he sought the Lord himself. When you took on the role of a father, you took on the responsibilities of the father given to you by the Lord, including spiritual leader. It is all right to let your children see you humbled, that you have limitations, that you don’t have all the answers. It’s okay to let them see you desperate. Yes, it’s even okay to let them see your tears. But they especially need to see you seeking the Lord. Fathers, we must be seekers of Him—seekers of His deliverance, His guidance, His strength, His wisdom—for the sake of our family!
This young girl could also look back fondly and see that her daddy was not ashamed to bring Jesus into their home. There may be people you work with, friends and even family, who may not understand or approve. But as a Christian father, one thing that is a must for your family is the Lord being invited into your home. And not just as a welcome guest, but as the authority figure. When Jesus came into Jarius’ home, He ordered everyone except the girl’s father and mother and His inner circle of disciples to leave. And Jairus submitted to Jesus in his own home. Your home needs to be a place where Jesus is recognized as Lord. One thing our country needs today are Christian homes! Homes where Christ is more than a picture on the wall. A place where Christ is welcome, His presence is acknowledged, His name is honored, His word is obeyed.
What took Jairus from his daughter’s deathbed to desperately seek out a Jewish teacher who was the reputed Messiah? What would cause a man to forget his place in society and what others might think or say? What compelled him to fall at Jesus’ feet and cry out: “I beg you, please come”? The answer is simple: this man loved his little girl! The Scriptures do not tell us how old she lived to be, but I believe there was not a day that went by that this girl didn’t know: “I’m alive today because my daddy’s love for me led him to seek the Lord and bring Jesus into our home!” Lord, give the men in America today that kind of love for their children!
- Men, as you raise your family, has it ever occurred to you what your children will think about Jesus and His place in your life and home when they look back on the experience?
- As chaplains, what kind of example are you setting for your family when it comes to Jesus’ place in your home? Would He be a stranger? Would He be welcome? Would He be recognized as Lord?
- Ask God to help you set an example of seeking Jesus that will have a lasting impact on your children and grandchildren.