Mark makes it clear that Jairus was no ordinary individual. Indeed, he was a very important person. He was one of the rulers of a local synagogue, probably Capernaum. He was charged with correct administration and the due conduct of worship. His decision to go to Jesus could not have been an easy one. This scene was early in Jesus’ ministry, but already the opposition is beginning to crystallize against the Nazarene.

Jairus thus had many reasons not to go to Jesus, but he had one overriding reason to go to him--his daughter. We don’t know what was wrong with her. They did not know what was wrong with her. But it was obvious that her condition was deteriorating rapidly. We are told that the girl was twelve years old. There is perhaps a specific reason for mentioning that. It was at age twelv…