The Patience of Jesus

“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.” Luke 8:49

Whenever I read the story of how Jesus healed the woman with the issue of blood, I can’t help but think about how this healing delayed the healing of another (that of Jairus’ daughter – vs. 41-42). How do we deal with “delays” in our life? Most often, isn’t it true that life’s delays are met with an impatient spirit and hurried soul?

If I were Jesus in this situation, I would have been tempted to be impatient with the older woman that delayed me getting to the younger girl. In fact, I probably would have rebuked her for hindering my progress. By all estimations, the older woman’s need was not as urgent as the younger girl’s need. And, I can’t imagine how Jairus (v. 41-42) must have felt when word came that in the midst of Jesus being delayed, my daughter was now dead! How would I have handled that? Would I have struggled with feelings of animosity and resentment toward the older woman because she delayed Jesus in reaching my daughter, and now it seemed all hope was gone?

Well, in the middle of this hurried, urgent, and crowded situation, we don’t see an impatient and overwhelmed Jesus. We see the Great Physician who has a wonderful “bedside” manner, a “healer” who is unhurried by the demands of life, as well as a “patient doctor” who has time for every need of every person. A Savior who has come not only to “heal the sick,” but also to bring “life to the dead!” You see, Jesus stands in the midst of these two life stories as the unhurried, all-patient deliverer! How could Jesus show such patience? Because Jesus rested completely in His Father’s sovereignty (Lk 22:42), and relied daily upon His Father’s strength (Jn. 5:19). We don’t get patience by trying to be more patient. Patience is simply a by-product of the right foundation and source to life. Are we resting in our Father’s sovereignty? Are we relying daily upon His strength in our lives? Look to Him, the patient physician who has a perfect bedside manner and who has never lost a patient.

When have you learned a lesson in patience when waiting on God’s timing? What is going on in your life that needs God’s healing hand?