Have you ever been afraid that Jesus was going to miss the deadline? That He just wasn’t going to get there on time? That He would be too late?

In Mark 5:21-43, we read about what happens when Jesus gets there too late! A man named Jairus – an important man in his day, who was a ruler in the synagogue – came to see Jesus on behalf of his dying daughter. Jairus pleaded with Jesus, “My little girl lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.” (Mark 5:23). He knew Jesus could save her if He only would!

Of course, Jesus consented to go with him. But on the way, a strange event occurred: a woman with an issue of blood for the past twelve years touched Him, and He stopped in His tracks and healed her! Of course, this took some time away from the journey to Jairus’ home and his little girl.

Can’t you just see Jairus, fidgeting and possibly even fuming at the delay? I know how impatient I get when I get focused on something, and especially when it’s something that involves the health of my family! I’m sure Jairus was beside himself as he waited on Jesus to heal this woman!

And then when they FINALLY arrived at the house, Jairus’ worst fears were realized: his daughter had already died! While Jesus was tarrying, the little girl passed away. Jesus had gotten there too late!

Then Jesus said a strange thing to Jairus: as soon as He heard that the damsel had died, He turned to Jairus and said, “Be not afraid, only believe.” (Mark 5:36). How strange of Him to say this! You see, when a sick person is still alive, even just barely, there is still hope. But not after they’ve died, right? Then it’s too late!

Herein lies the lesson, my friends: Jesus is NEVER too late! Even when it may seem that way to us, Jesus always gets there right on time!

I’m sure you know the rest of the story: the people around them laughed Him to scorn when He declared that the little girl was simply “asleep,” and then He proceeded to march right into the death chamber and “awaken” her! You see, Jesus views death as merely being “asleep” because He knows He can awaken the dead one with His voice.

I don’t know about you, but there have been times when my faith has waned and I’ve been afraid that Jesus got here too late. But in every case, He reminds me that He is NEVER too late, but always right on time because His power to save is unlimited!

May we rejoice this week in the power of Christ to intervene in just the right manner at just the right time, even if He has to raise the dead!

Elder Chris McCool