God who began a good work in you surely brings it to completion

Imagine yourself on an urgent mission to save someone you deeply love. Time feels like an enemy, each second slipping away like grains of sand in an hourglass. The crowd is thick, and you push through, your heart pounding with desperation, every step driven by the hope of reaching help in time. But then, without warning, someone interrupts you. They demand attention, slowing your progress, delaying your mission. The pain of that moment feels unbearable, almost cruel.  

This is the story of Jairus, a ruler who sought Jesus to bring his dead daughter back to life. Jairus had faith—a bold, impossible faith that believed Jesus could restore life itself. Yet, as he urgently led Jesus toward his home, their mission was interrupted. A woman, suffering for twelve years with a debilitating condition, reached out to touch the edge of Jesus’ garment. Her faith, too, was extraordinary, and in that moment, Jesus stopped to address her.  

For Jairus, the delay must have felt devastating, a test of his faith and patience. Yet, this story reveals so much more than two miraculous healings. It demonstrates God’s grace to both the ruler and the woman, God’s purpose in what feels like delays, and the perfect timing of His blessings.  

Today, we will explore three key lessons from this narrative:  

1. Faith that overcomes impossible circumstances,  

2. The purpose of God’s pauses that strengthen and refine us, and  

3. The perfection of God’s timing, where blessings extend beyond what we imagine.  

This is not just a story of miracles; it’s a story of trusting God, even when the journey doesn’t unfold the way we expect.  

The story begins with Jairus, a synagogue ruler whose daughter had just died. For a man of his position and influence, seeking out Jesus—a teacher often criticized by religious leaders—was an act of humility and desperation. But Jairus’s faith drove him to take an extraordinary step. Overwhelmed with grief, he knelt before Jesus and made a bold declaration: “My daughter has just died. But come and put Your hand on her, and she will live” (Matthew 9:18).  

Jairus’s faith was remarkable because it defied logic and societal expectations. Leaving his home, he likely faced ridicule and skepticism. After all, to the mourners and onlookers, his daughter’s death was final. Yet Jairus’s faith wasn’t based on what he could see or understand—it was rooted in his belief in Jesus’ power to do the impossible.  

Similarly, the woman in the story exhibited extraordinary faith. For twelve years, she had endured a condition that left her physically weak, socially isolated due to ritual uncleanliness, and financially devastated from failed medical treatments. Her situation seemed hopeless. Yet, she believed that merely touching the edge of Jesus’ garment would heal her. She didn’t need a conversation or attention—just His presence.  

Her faith was so profound that it overcame every barrier. To reach Jesus, she pushed through the crowd, risking public humiliation and even rejection. She said to herself, “If I only touch His cloak, I will be healed” (Matthew 9:21).  

In both Jairus and the woman, we see faith that thrives in impossible situations. They remind us of Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Faith does not deny the reality of our circumstances but chooses to believe in the power and goodness of God beyond what seems possible.  

This type of faith often requires courage. Jairus had to risk public opinion and the despair of his household to seek Jesus. The woman had to risk public shame and muster the strength to press through the crowd. Both acted on the belief that Jesus was their only hope.  

Their faith challenges us to consider how we respond to impossible situations in our own lives. Do we shrink back, overwhelmed by circumstances, or do we press forward in faith, trusting that Jesus has the power to intervene?  

Jesus honors such faith. To Jairus, He later said, “Don’t be afraid; just believe” (Mark 5:36). To the woman, He declared, “Take heart, daughter. Your faith has healed you” (Matthew 9:22). These affirmations show us that faith is not about perfect understanding or flawless actions—it’s about trusting Jesus with our whole heart, even when the outcome seems impossible.  

In our moments of desperation, when all human solutions fail, God invites us to place our trust in Him. Just as Jairus and the woman discovered, faith moves us closer to Jesus, the only one who can bring life, healing, and hope in the midst of impossibilities. Let us hold on to this truth: nothing is too hard for God.

As Jesus walked with Jairus toward what seemed like an urgent mission, the unthinkable happened: He stopped. A woman who had been suffering for twelve years reached out and touched the hem of His garment. Her faith was so great that she believed even this simple act would heal her. And it did—instantly. But instead of continuing toward Jairus’s house, Jesus paused to identify her. He turned, searching for the one who had touched Him. When the woman came forward, trembling, Jesus said to her, “Take heart, daughter. Your faith has healed you” (Matthew 9:22).  

Imagine Jairus in that moment. His daughter was dead, and every second mattered. Watching Jesus stop to address someone else’s need must have been excruciating. The delay would have felt unbearable. Why pause now? Couldn’t this wait until after his daughter was revived? Yet Jairus didn’t interrupt or plead for Jesus to hurry. He remained silent, waiting in faith.  

This scene is a profound lesson in God’s timing. Often, the pauses in our lives feel agonizing. We’ve prayed, we’ve believed, and we’ve taken steps of faith, but then a delay occurs. It’s easy to wonder if God has forgotten us or if His plans have been derailed. However, these pauses often serve a purpose far beyond what we can see.  

In this story, the woman’s healing wasn’t just physical—it was deeply personal. For twelve years, she had lived in isolation, seen as unclean and untouchable. Jesus didn’t just heal her body; He restored her identity and dignity. By pausing, He gave her the opportunity to testify to her healing, overcoming her fear and allowing her to experience the fullness of His grace.  

Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” What feels like a delay to us is often part of God’s greater plan. In this case, the delay allowed Jairus to witness the power of faith in another person’s life.  

For Jairus, the pause must have been a test of patience and trust. Every moment would have felt like a lifetime. But what Jairus didn’t realize was that the delay didn’t change the outcome. To Jesus, time was irrelevant. The girl’s death wasn’t final, and the delay didn’t diminish His ability to bring her back to life.  

The unexpected pauses in our own lives can feel like obstacles, but they are often opportunities. They challenge us to trust God’s timing over our own, to believe that He is working even when we cannot see how. Romans 8:28 assures us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” 

In the end, the delay didn’t hinder Jairus’s miracle—it allowed for another miracle to unfold along the way. When we face delays, may we remember that God’s timing is perfect, and His plans are always greater than our own. What feels like a detour is often the very path He is using to fulfill His purpose.  

Finally, Jesus arrived at Jairus’s house. Inside, mourners filled the space, wailing and grieving the loss of Jairus’s daughter. To them, it was over—death had the final word. But Jesus saw the situation differently. He declared, “The girl is not dead but asleep” (Matthew 9:24). Their response was to laugh at Him. They couldn’t comprehend that the One who stood before them had authority over death itself.  

Jesus sent the mourners out, creating an atmosphere of faith rather than disbelief. He then took the girl by the hand, and she rose to life. This moment, which seemed impossibly delayed to human eyes, revealed the power of God’s perfect timing. The girl’s life was restored, proving that with Jesus, death is never the end.  

From Jairus’s perspective, the timing must have felt unbearable. His daughter’s death likely seemed final when Jesus paused to heal the woman. Yet the delay did not alter the outcome—Jesus fulfilled His promise. What Jairus learned, and what we must remember, is that God’s timing is not like ours.  

The Apostle Peter reminds us in 2 Peter 3:8-9, “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” God’s perspective on time is eternal, and His plans are never delayed.  

This story also reveals a profound truth: God’s timing often results in blessings that extend beyond what we initially expect. Jairus came to Jesus seeking a miracle for his daughter, but he also witnessed the healing of a woman who had suffered for twelve years. Out of one event came two miracles, transforming two lives and spreading hope to many more.  

When we experience delays, it’s easy to feel frustrated or abandoned, but God’s “delays” are not denials. They are opportunities for His greater plan to unfold. As Isaiah 40:31 promises, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Waiting on God strengthens our faith and prepares us to witness His power in ways we could never imagine.  

God’s perfect timing is not just about fulfilling His promises—it’s about revealing His glory. The girl’s resurrection wasn’t just for her family; it became a testimony that spread throughout the region (Matthew 9:26). The delay allowed many to see Jesus’ authority and power, leading them to place their trust in Him.  

In our own lives, we may feel like we are waiting too long for God’s intervention. But when we trust Him, we discover that His timing is not only perfect but also purposeful. Romans 8:28 reassures us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

As we wait on God, let us remember that His delays are not rejections but opportunities for His perfect will to unfold. Trust in His timing, for it always brings life, hope, and blessings beyond what we could imagine.

Imagine a tapestry being woven, each thread interlacing to form a stunning masterpiece. To the one weaving, the design is clear, every thread placed with purpose. But to an onlooker, the pattern may seem chaotic, incomplete, or even meaningless. Our lives are much like that tapestry. God, the Master Weaver, is crafting a story of grace, faith, and redemption, even when the process feels unclear to us.  

The story of Jairus and the woman who touched Jesus’ garment teaches us profound truths about trusting God. Jairus shows us faith that defies logic, even in impossible situations. The woman demonstrates courage and persistence, believing in the power of Jesus’ presence despite her fear and suffering. Both encountered delays—Jairus when Jesus stopped, and the woman as she trembled before the crowd—but those pauses were purposeful, serving God’s greater plan.  

What feels like a delay in our lives is never wasted time to God. These moments are opportunities for Him to work in ways we cannot yet comprehend. As Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. Faith in the impossible, trust during delays, and hope in God’s perfect timing lead to blessings that go beyond our imagination—not just for us, but for those around us.  

As we walk through life’s uncertainties, let us hold onto this truth: God is never late. His timing is perfect, His plans are good, and His love is unending. Even when the path seems unclear, we can trust Him wholeheartedly, knowing He is faithful to complete the work He has begun in us (Philippians 1:6). Let us not give up, but instead, wait patiently and confidently, for God never fails to deliver His promises.

Let’s pray together.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of faith that allows us to trust You in all circumstances. Help us to hold on to Your promises, even when we face delays and challenges. Teach us to see Your greater purpose in every pause and to trust in Your perfect timing.  

Lord, strengthen our faith, guide our steps, and help us to be patient and gracious, just as You are patient with us. May we see Your hand at work in our lives and the lives of others, and may we glorify You in all we do.  

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.