mattbraunlin
Member
Truth in Every Corner
Today I want to examine the beloved story (if you've never read it, it is found in Mark chapter 5 verses 21-43) of Jesus, Jairus and the bleeding woman. So very much can be discovered in this incredible story, but I want to make a certain point by examining two interpretations I have heard of an important element in it: the emotional state of Jairus when he hears of his daughter's death.
The Bible is ambiguous about Jairus' reaction to the news that his daughter has died, and all hope is surely lost. But we do know that Jesus was delayed, and very willingly, by the faith of the bleeding woman, who was healed by touching the hem of his robe. He stops everything, identifies the woman, and gently commends her for her faith.
Like so very much of Christ's life, this can and has been interpreted differently. Let's look at two such interpretations, which come from two of my most trusted spiritual guides: Timothy Keller, and The Chosen.
Timothy Keller, rest his soul, was a profoundly intelligent man, and his interpretation is appropriately brilliant. He weaves a powerfully-layered tapestry, accusing Jesus of malpractice (by human standards) in delaying the healing of a dying child in order to attend to the woman's less desperate situation. He implies the fear and frustration Jairus must have experienced at this costly delay, and the devastation, anger and bitterness he must feel when he learns that his daughter has died.
There's more yet, but long story short, Keller's point is that we always get more than we bargained for with Jesus. Jairus wanted a healing, and he got a resurrection. The woman wanted a quick fix, and she got a powerful encounter.
The Chosen, on the other hand, takes a much more straightforward approach. When Jesus stops to bring comfort to this faithful woman, Jairus is powerfully touched. He holds his hand over his heart, even his desperate situation forgotten at the joy he feels at Jesus' gentle exaltation of her faith.
When he hears of his daughter's death, Jairus is heartbroken of course, but at no point does he express any negativity whatsoever toward Jesus. And after a quick reassurance from him, Jairus' faith in Jesus is restored.
Now, at last, to the point I'm trying to make.
These two lessons clash. They present two very different pictures of the mindset of Jairus in the midst of this story, and each uses their interpretation of his mindset to make a very different point. If one has its facts straight, the other cannot.
But are they not both true? Do they not present equally valid and beautiful and resonant Truths about the nature of our Saviour and his impact on our lives?
Could that perhaps be what God was aiming at?
The Bible is not always crystal clear in its presentation of facts. It does not always give us all the details. But might that not (at least sometimes) be precisely the point? Had God told us precisely how Jairus felt in this greatest trial of his life, we would certainly have had a beautiful Truth to cherish through the centuries. But because he didn't, we have two. Maybe more.
To be very clear, where the Bible does provide fact and detail, the Truths we glean must be based on them without exception. But in reflecting on Jesus, Jairus and the faithful woman, I hope I have demonstrated that Biblical Truth can also be discovered… artistically.
Much has been written on the importance of ambiguity in art. From Mona Lisa's smile to Don McLean's spellbinding lyrics in American Pie, it is precisely the absence of facts that allow us to discover and feast on the Truth that artists wish to convey. And God is the Almighty Artist. He gave birth to art, gave us the power to perceive art, and his greatest artistic gift to us is the Bible. We have not yet discovered one percent of what it has the potential to teach us.
Seek Truth within its pages, and what gems you will unearth!
Today I want to examine the beloved story (if you've never read it, it is found in Mark chapter 5 verses 21-43) of Jesus, Jairus and the bleeding woman. So very much can be discovered in this incredible story, but I want to make a certain point by examining two interpretations I have heard of an important element in it: the emotional state of Jairus when he hears of his daughter's death.
The Bible is ambiguous about Jairus' reaction to the news that his daughter has died, and all hope is surely lost. But we do know that Jesus was delayed, and very willingly, by the faith of the bleeding woman, who was healed by touching the hem of his robe. He stops everything, identifies the woman, and gently commends her for her faith.
Like so very much of Christ's life, this can and has been interpreted differently. Let's look at two such interpretations, which come from two of my most trusted spiritual guides: Timothy Keller, and The Chosen.
Timothy Keller, rest his soul, was a profoundly intelligent man, and his interpretation is appropriately brilliant. He weaves a powerfully-layered tapestry, accusing Jesus of malpractice (by human standards) in delaying the healing of a dying child in order to attend to the woman's less desperate situation. He implies the fear and frustration Jairus must have experienced at this costly delay, and the devastation, anger and bitterness he must feel when he learns that his daughter has died.
There's more yet, but long story short, Keller's point is that we always get more than we bargained for with Jesus. Jairus wanted a healing, and he got a resurrection. The woman wanted a quick fix, and she got a powerful encounter.
The Chosen, on the other hand, takes a much more straightforward approach. When Jesus stops to bring comfort to this faithful woman, Jairus is powerfully touched. He holds his hand over his heart, even his desperate situation forgotten at the joy he feels at Jesus' gentle exaltation of her faith.
When he hears of his daughter's death, Jairus is heartbroken of course, but at no point does he express any negativity whatsoever toward Jesus. And after a quick reassurance from him, Jairus' faith in Jesus is restored.
Now, at last, to the point I'm trying to make.
These two lessons clash. They present two very different pictures of the mindset of Jairus in the midst of this story, and each uses their interpretation of his mindset to make a very different point. If one has its facts straight, the other cannot.
But are they not both true? Do they not present equally valid and beautiful and resonant Truths about the nature of our Saviour and his impact on our lives?
Could that perhaps be what God was aiming at?
The Bible is not always crystal clear in its presentation of facts. It does not always give us all the details. But might that not (at least sometimes) be precisely the point? Had God told us precisely how Jairus felt in this greatest trial of his life, we would certainly have had a beautiful Truth to cherish through the centuries. But because he didn't, we have two. Maybe more.
To be very clear, where the Bible does provide fact and detail, the Truths we glean must be based on them without exception. But in reflecting on Jesus, Jairus and the faithful woman, I hope I have demonstrated that Biblical Truth can also be discovered… artistically.
Much has been written on the importance of ambiguity in art. From Mona Lisa's smile to Don McLean's spellbinding lyrics in American Pie, it is precisely the absence of facts that allow us to discover and feast on the Truth that artists wish to convey. And God is the Almighty Artist. He gave birth to art, gave us the power to perceive art, and his greatest artistic gift to us is the Bible. We have not yet discovered one percent of what it has the potential to teach us.
Seek Truth within its pages, and what gems you will unearth!
