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Aug 18, 2023 18:30pm

All Eyes On You

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All eyes dart to the leader, waiting, searching for how to respond. Should they laugh? Should they be ready to defend his honor? It all depends on his reaction.

He smiles and laughs, and all of his men laugh too.

It’s a scene out of almost every movie with a mob, gang, or “crew”. The leader determines everyone’s reaction as they look to him or her as the example to follow.

Luke 8:41a

“And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue:”

We are going to take this verse in two parts. The first, we learn about who is coming to Jesus. His name is Jairus. He’s a ruler of the synagogue which means he’s a prominent religious figure. He oversees worship in the synagogue and fulfills administrative duties. He is a leader among the religious. Others look to him for cues on how to respond to Jesus.

In this passage, we learn that he’s coming to meet Jesus. We can only imagine what the crowd might be thinking. There might be shock, wonder, or trepidation as they watch him. Perhaps he was walking with determination. Running would be out of the question for this man since such an act in public was considered shameful to the Jewish people.

All eyes were on him. How would he respond? What was his approach? What would he say to this man, this teacher, this prophet, this miracle worker, this Jesus?

Luke 8:41b-42

“and he fell down at Jesus’ feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying.”

He fell at His feet.

An act of submission. Jairus humbled himself at the feet of Jesus. He was desperate for a miracle for his daughter. And because of his faith in Jesus and his surrender, Jesus would heal his daughter.

Luke 8:49-56

“While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole. And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.”

This prominent religious leader was an example to follow. He cast aside his pride and prestige to prostrate himself before the Lord. This was a big deal in this culture. To all who were watching, they would have seen this as the proper way to respond.

However, there were some, that would see it as weakness and traitorous. No matter what Jesus did, there were Pharisees and Scribes that wouldn’t believe. Their hardened hearts filled with pride, arrogance and tradition couldn’t make room for Jesus.

We have seen the truth about Jesus and now, it’s our turn to make that decision on how to respond. No matter who you are or what you do, there are always eyes watching you and how you will respond. Whether it’s a company you lead, a class you teach, or even the children in your home, their eyes are fixed on you, waiting to see your reaction to Jesus.

It’s time to make that decision. Will you humbly bow at His feet, trusting in Him alone to save you? Will you come to Him with an honest heart seeking the hope He offers?

Or will you pridefully turn away, mock Him or belittle others for following Him? Will you ignore all the facts of who He is and choose to do things your own way?

All eyes are looking to you, waiting, searching for how to respond.