(Sorry this published/posted without being finished. Hit the wrong key! This is the "real" post. Sorry!)
As I was saying my prayers, over and over I felt the need to blog a great treasure I found in the scriptures this evening when I was studying.
I was reading through the different accounts of Jairus's daughter. There are so many things to take from this reading of this faithful ruler of a synagogue. His 12 year old, only daughter, was dieing. He sought out the Savior, fell at his feet and asked the Savior to come to his home and "lay thy hands on [his daughter], that she may be healed; and she shall live." Mark 5:23.
Love the faith of this father! And what an example for any of us with a loved one that is dying spiritually--that we seek out the Savior in our own lives and when He is present (because we go to where he is) we can fall and plead that he go to the aid of the one we love. This principle of first coming to the Savior was described masterfully by Elder Holland. I know I have shared it before, but I don't think it can be shared enough. He said:
He [Jesus Christ] is saying to us, “Trust me, learn of me, do what I do. Then, when you walk where I am going,” He says, “we can talk about where you are going, and the problems you face and the troubles you have. If you will follow me, I will lead you out of darkness,” He promises. “I will give you answers to your prayers. I will give you rest to your souls.” (emphasis added)Jesus arose and followed Jairus! (Jairus first "came" to Christ, and then they could travel together... so profound.)
But as they went the crowd crowded Jesus. And any quickened steps they were taking, were slowed down. I wonder if Jairus was tempted to be irritated or worried because his daughter was already dieing. I thought of those great times one asks for a blessing, and sometimes the person in need of the blessing has to wait for the hands to come. This was an interesting thought for me. I am one that when a blessing is needed by anyone, I like to "jump" on the action asap, but this good Father that had to "wait"/not get somewhere as soon as he may have liked, had to wait. The Priesthood holder, Jesus Christ, was on his way, but was detained. But detained or not, the "priesthood power" was still on it's way. What an insight into waiting on the need of someone else, especially when it is crisis mode... and that it can still be okay!
The beauitful miracle of the woman with the issue of blood--touching the hem of the Savior is played out while the Savior is being crowded by folks. This story alone is beauitful with deep insights but will have to wait for another time.
When the miracle with the woman with blood is complete, a messenger comes to Jairus and tells him that his daughter is already dead. Basically, "Don't bother about bringing Jesus, there is no reason to now". (Obviously that is my Bryndi lingo.) The scriptures in Mark, & Luke say that Jesus heard this comment. And as soon as he heard the comment he told Jairus to "Be not afraid, only believe"(Mark 5:36) "...and she shall be made whole."(Luke 8:50)
The scripture in Mark says, "As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken" about the girl dieing, he told Jairus to not fear. But was there a long enough break in the comment from the messenger to the time the Savior states for Jairus to not fear, for Jairus's mind to sink into disappointment/heartache and possible temptation to think, "had we just hurried around the crowed we might have gotten there...!" who knows?! But interesting thought what test just hearing the news brought to Jairus's faith.
They get to Jairus's home and find people are "making noise" (Matt). Christ tells them to stop morning "for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth." The people just laughted at the Savior because they "knew" she was dead. To them the words from the Savior must have been obserd/foolishness.
The Savior "put"'s [kicks] the scorners out. Then with the faith of the parents, Peter, James, and John, he takes the maiden by the hand and tells her to arise and she arises.
BEAUTIFUL story no!!!?! :)
...but here comes an even more beautiful insight for me!!
Once the daughter was commanded to arise... "...her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he [Christ] commanded to give her meat." (Luke 8:55). In Mark the Savior commanded "...that something should be given her to eat." This is deep.
The Father seeks out the Savior, arrives where he is, and seeks the help for a loved one. The Savior goes to the rescue. The daughter dies before the Savior gets there. The Savior comes into her home, takes her hand and "her spirit [comes back] again." Then the Savior commands for her to be given something to eat, and not just "anything" to eat, but particularly that she should have meat.
SYMBOLICALLY--we first, as Enos did when he worked on getting himself alined with God, then, when he was "good" with God, he had the desire for the welfare of his bretheren and sought out blessings for them in prayer. He first went to the Savior--then once there, could discuss the needs of others. Perhaps someone we love is dieing spiritually. Is falling off the path, refuses to hold the iron rod, and/or is "feeling" their way to the great and spacious building. We seek the Savior, by first making sure He is in our own life (this is done by praying, reading the scriptures, going to church, serving, etc) and seek for His "hands" to be laid on the person whom we love who is "dieing"/already dead, or perhaps never really been "alive" in this earth life in the first place.
Sometimes the process of the Savior coming into the person's life, might take time... and on that road, we may feel or find out the person has actually completely "died spiritually". Temptations of hopelessness, grief, sorrow, regret, resentment, sadness, bitterness, anger for that person to ever be made alive again may come tempting...thoughts about how the loved one has/had been sick too long, and for whatever reason, whether they didn't know the gospel, had it to a point but forsook it or didn't want it in the first place--they "died" while we were on our journey rushing to bring the Savior to them. We must/need to take on the Savior's advice to not fear, but only believe in a hope for them to "become" alive.
But our awesome Father has a great plan. And regardless of the "time" *prayers, pleading, fasting to have the Savior come and "lay" his hands upon the person we love--God's timing is perfect! And their spirit can come back again! They can be made whole!
A very important KEY AFTER someone has Christ enter, or come back into their life, is the commandment the Savior gives right after the spirit was restored to Jairus's daughter! The person who is now "alive" (whether alive again or for the "first" time) with "Christ"...NEEDS/MUST be fed!!! And not just anything, but they must be fed with "meat"=substance!
When someone has Christ brought into their life, and they are made "alive" and arise to higher standards/ways of life then they were (remember, he took her from where she was laying, by the hand, and commanded her to arise. Whether she was on the floor, or a bed, just sitting up would bring her to a "higher" place then she had previously been in when she was in her "dead" position.
From Mark's account Jairus's daughter not only arose, but she walked! Even if she was a short 12 year-old say even just 4 feet tall... spiritually speaking, her arising and walking brought her 4 feet higher "closer to God" then she had previously been!
When someone has the gospel and principles of truth enter their life, and it causes their actions to come up/arise even four feet closer to the Savior/Heavenly Father-- WE must be prepared to feed them immediately! Feed that person who has just "awaken" with a calling, with love, with challenges in the gospel. WITH GOSPEL MEAT!
I pondered over what they might have given this girl to eat. Did they have something on hand, or did they quickly, with time and effort, prepare food for her. Either way, the preparation needed to follow the commandment of giving her something to eat was there! And a body recently "raised" brought closer to Christ, is immediately in need of spiritual MEAT!!!!!!!! Even with the spirit of the gospel breathed into our souls--that spirit/truths can not be sustained without "meat"!
Jairus's daughter, her father nor the Savior, could/can force her to actually "eat" the food, she still has to choose to do so. But we are commanded that food/meat be given, and from someone who has just been previously absent from "spiritually living", I think most occasions, the newly spirit/light receiving individual will notice the hunger and the need for that meat, and such a person is most likely to "gobble" whatever is given to them right up! They still have the choice of eating it or not, but may be be prepared in serving them rich substance... a buffet line of truths, love, compassion, service, callings, support--serving them food that will keep them alive in Christ!
Oh for visiting & home teachers! Oh to all brothers and sisters in the gospel! Oh when someone comes back, or for the first time--whatever amount of rising they do, may I be prepared to give them "meat"!
I don't know if I am making any clear ideas on this, but so strong are/were the impressions of this beauitful insight...
We must feed right away, those that arise in any level to their commitments/desires of being like/coming to Christ.
Jesus is the Christ!
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is true!
Literally--onward and upward--brings one to Christ! And Gospel Meat is what keeps us on that onward and upward path! Ironic little circle!
"...her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat."
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