Words of life
Mark 5:35-43
35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”
36 Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him.
After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.
Jairus is told that his daughter has passed away and therefore not to bother Jesus in seeking his help. Jesus then tells Jairus not to be afraid but to have faith and they continue on to Jairus’s home. There is weeping and wailing at Jairus home because his little girl has died. Jesus asks everyone bar his three disciples and the girl’s parents to leave. Jesus then tells the girl to arise and she does much to the amazement of those looking on.
Through the eyes of faith Jesus sees the little girl merely sleeping. Everyone else saw death. God’s perspective on a problem is often different to our own. We are encouraged to believe. Jesus speaks directly to the problem ie.”Little girl get up!” Jesus words are powerful they literally speak life. This encourages me to speak the words of Christ over my life, my family and my church.
I also notice that Jesus was particular about those who accompanied him to Jairus’s house. It was only Peter, James and John. Men of faith. When they arrived at Jairus house the crowd laughed at Jesus when he said the girl was not dead but sleeping. This laughing and scoffing was not conducive to faith so they were asked to leave. Consequently they missed out on witnessing a miracle – the little girl coming back to life! How awesome would it have been to see her respond to Jesus words and take that first breath then sit up! I am encouraged to believe and to be among the ones the Lord asks to be present rather than be in the way and asked to leave.
Dear Lord thank you that the words of Jesus bring life. Help me to not be afraid but to have faith. Amen.
Written by Ps. Ainslie Woods