Risking Your Life

The phrase "risking your life" is usually about something that could cost you your life. In Mark 5:21-43 Jairus decides to risk his "life" his daughter, his reputation, his everything to find "life" for himself and his family in Jesus. Who or what are you willing to risk for yourself and your family?

This is a little play that I wrote describing some of the emotions that my family has experienced over the years when faced with similar circumstances. I gave Jairus' wife and daughter names so that the story would flow more freely. I hope that your reading of this will cause you to desire to risk your "life" and pursue Jesus with all that you have.

v Abigail: source of joy

v Jairus: whom God enlightens

v Jairus’ Daughter (Zippora-Little bird) is Dying

Abigail: Jairus go to Him. Just go and ask.

Jairus: It’s not that simple! I’m a leader of the Synagogue.

Abigail: Why is it always about the Synagogue? Why is it always about rules, laws, regulations? Why can’t you just do something for once that’s just about your daughter?

Jairus: Stop it! I love her as much as you do. Woman, give me some time to consider how to approach this without all your hammering on me!

Doctor leaves the girl’s room and comes into the main room: Jairus, Abigail, … I’ve done all I can do. She doesn’t have much longer. I’m so … so sorry.

Jairus: How can that be? She’s too young … to die. Surely you have some other medicine that will work? What about that new medicine, it’s an herb of some kind, everyone’s using it …?

Doctor shakes his head: she’s too weak for that now. Besides everyone who uses it gets sicker before they get better … and she’s … (voice fades off)

Abigail has been watching the entire conversation … biting her lip … biting her hand. With a wild look at Jairus, she asks the Doctor: What about Jesus? What if we asked Him to heal her?

Doctor: I have heard many good reports about Him. And the people who are brought to Him are genuinely healed. He’s not faking it. But Zipporah is too sick to go to Him.

Abigail: Yes, but what if we send for Him. Jairus, if ever there was a time to put your position of influence to work … surely you love your daughter enough to risk your reputation? Please! PLEASE … just ask. All He can say is … Oh God, … please just go!

Jairus: (emotions of anger, fear, frustration, flitter across his face. Finally, settling on panic) He’s not someone you just send for. He’s not a servant, or a slave that you can order around.

Doctor: Jairus, if you want to try and speak with Him, I’ve heard that He’s speaking over near the olive hill. But if you’re going to go … you’d better hurry.

Jairus glances back towards his daughter’s room then runs out the door and down the street.