What a Weasel!

Day 255:  I was having a conversation with someone about how a change in personnel caused some unnecessary drama and brought out the unseemly side of folks. Coincidentally, I happened to open up to the story of Jairus tonight which was equally full of drama.

Jairus was a synagogue leader whose young daughter was dying.  Since many Jewish leaders took issue with Jesus, I can only imagine how desperate and helpless he must have felt to pick up his robe, run to the shore as Jesus arrived, and beg Him to come and heal his daughter. Jesus agreed to go, but between the large crowds, and another miracle along the way, the delays amounted to more time than Jairus' daughter could sustain, and she passed.

I am always stunned as I read of the lousy "friends" Jairus had.  While Jesus was addressing another miracle recipient, people from Jairus' house showed up to say inform him it was too late-his daughter was dead.  That is what one would expect friends to do...but then they say, "Why bother Jesus any more?" In other words, It's too late for your miracle, so get out of the way, and go home. Astonishing...no sympathy, no words of comfort, no kindness...just "too bad, so sad..move along".

I imagine Jairus collapsing in grief, and Jesus gently pulling him up as He directs him to keep believing.  Jairus, reaching for any Hope, agrees and they continue to his house.  When they arrive, there is chaos as a crowd of Jairus' buds appear inconsolable, wailing and weeping.  They obviously weren't too sad, though, because when Jesus informs them the child is not dead but sleeping, they "laughed and laughed". Seriously?  Mocking?  I would like to believe that a true friend would either cling in agreement to Hope, or protest out of concern for a perceived false hope.  Clearly this guy needs better friends.  Jesus drove them all out and then he raised Jairus' daughter.

I see a few lessons in this retelling...

First, if you are in a place of any sort of favorable position or status, some opportunistic, sneaky weasels will appear disguised as a friend, have no doubt.  Their intent is not for your welfare, so be discerning! 

Second, Jesus is never delayed, He is always on time and will accomplish what He purposes to do. Clinging to Hope will allow you to believe.  

Third, notice Jesus drove these opportunists out before He performed His miraculous work--He did not let them stick around!  Jesus will drive out of our lives those that He knows will prohibit His Glory from manifesting when we truly believe, however painful that extraction may be. 

Be discerning..A pivotal moment is a lousy time to find out what a weasel someone can be.

Please, God, bless!

"They laughed and they laughed at him.  But when he had driven all of them outside, he took the child's father and mother, along with the men who were with him, and went into the room where the child was."  Mark 5:40

Inspired by "365: A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life!" I decided I should be more conscientious of my creative side. I chose to modify this one year challenge (9/23/14-9/24/15) to create something each day that would also force me to focus my perspective on a Godly world-view.