Monday 30 October, 2017

35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus. He was the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” 36 Jesus heard what they were saying. He told the synagogue leader, “Don’t be afraid. Just believe.” 37 He let only Peter, James, and John, the brother of James, follow him. 38 They came to the home of the synagogue leader. There Jesus saw a lot of confusion. People were crying and sobbing loudly. 39 He went inside. Then he said to them, “Why all this confusion and sobbing? The child is not dead. She is only sleeping.” 40 But they laughed at him. He made them all go outside. He took only the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him. And he went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand. Then he said to her, “Talitha koum!” This means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” 42 The girl was 12 years old. Right away she stood up and began to walk around. They were totally amazed at this. 43 Jesus gave strict orders not to let anyone know what had happened. And he told them to give her something to eat.

This chapter is all about Jesus’ authority. Authority over demons, disease & death. What has caught my attention as I’ve been thinking on these verses is that Jesus knew what he intended to do back at V24, and more determinedly from the moment he heard the messengers tell the father his young daughter was dead V35. Jesus continued to go to the house, taking only 3 of his disciples with him even though there were more travelling with him (why?), He took only the mother and father with the 3 into the room, even though there were more people at the house (why?). He raises the girl from the dead! Then more puzzling, he gives ‘strict’ orders not to let anyone know what happened, V43.  Why?

Clearly the girl was up and around and eating & all those who laughed at him would see this. Did Jesus say this to the 5 who were in the room so that they wouldn’t disclose exactly how he raised her from the dead? or was it because he didn’t want what he so clearly did to become a “novelty show”? I don’t have definitive answers, but I do know that Jesus wants people to believe v36 and have faith v34 in him and his authority. First and foremost when I believe and trust Jesus, I open myself for Him to do the most astounding things in my life.

Lord increase my faith.

Written by Suzie Hodgson