Learning from Jesus – the last shall be first
Another day, another pressing crowd of dusty, sweating people, driven by curiosity, or need, or both. But Jesus wasn't apparently taking much notice of the multitude: he was on a particular errand - going to the house of a rich man, to heal his daughter.
Can't we just visualise the scene today - in many a city, in many a crowded, dusty street, the Mercedes with outriders carving its way through the mass of humanity, to bring the doctor from the hospital to the house of a high-up government official? The beggars and the street traders fall back as it speeds on its 'errand of mercy' to bring help to one among the thousands of sick and needy people.
Jesus' entourage, knowing that he was making for the house of an important person, sought to keep the 'great unwashed' at arm's length, so that when Jesus suddenly stopped and said, 'Who touched me?' they were, perhaps, mortified that they hadn't better protected him.
But Jesus stopped and looked round. The crowd held its collective breath. Jairus stood dismayed, helpless with frustration, as his daughter's life seeped away. His daughter was dying, but Jesus' attention was focussed on a nameless, friendless, cringing woman.
Yes, it is true of course that Jesus knew that he was able to raise Jairus' daughter even from death. But his action was, nevertheless, hugely symbolic. Every human being, he was saying, is worthy of attention, of compassion, of sacrificial love. We know this in theory, but do we live it in practice?
Do we, at church, keep looking over the shoulder of the person who is talking to us, hoping to spot someone else - a friend, the pastor, a local dignitary? And at work, do we cry off an appointment with an insignificant colleague because someone more important claims our time? Do we put flowers on the boss's desk, but never on the doorman's?
I need to search my conscience. Do you?
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