Matt. , 23 to 26- While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.”
…When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him. But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. And the report of this went out into all that land. NKJV
Where do you run to when some trouble or trial strikes you down? Do you run away or escape into alcohol, drugs, food, television, fantasy, work, computer fun, or one of the other many ways we have to ‘get away’. This ruler, a man from a general class of people who hated Jesus, left the side of his family and deceased daughter to ‘run’ to Jesus. (To be honest, I don’t know if that’s what I would do. I might just lay down in misery unable to even move. Past experience has shown I am not the best at fully trusting the Lord… but I am working on that.)
This ruler came and worshipped Jesus (Strong’s: like a dog kissing his master’s hand). He was brought ‘to his knees’ by a tragedy that would humble anyone, and instead of running away or escaping, he put all his trust in the One who could, if He so desired, heal her. His faith was so certain that he knew even death could be overcome by the Savior. Look at what he said. It was not a question, but a statement: lay Your hand on her and she will live. What confidence there is in those words. Just touch her and she will live… Do we have that much faith in our Lord?
So Jesus arrives at the man’s house, sees the crowd grieving noisily and He attempts to give them some hope which they shoot down immediately. Many of us lose hope in tough times. It is difficult for us to put it all into God’s hands and allow Him to be in control of the situation, trusting that He has the best intentions for us and our lives. So, instead of belief, they ridiculed and mocked Jesus. I’m sure some of them were thinking, ‘just who does he think he is?’
The ruler knew from the start. He had faith in the only One who could heal his daughter. He trusted that no matter how great his problem, Jesus could overcome.* We have the same Lord and Savior to run to when trouble hits. He will never leave us nor forsake us, (Heb. 13:5) He is our comfort in times of trouble, (2 Cor. 1:4) and He gives us His strength to endure. (Phil. 4:13) There is no better person in which to put our trust.**
Now we just need to remember that quickly when trouble strikes!
*John 16:33- These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
**Pr. 3:5- Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
Ps. 91:2- I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”