Power to Raise the Dead. Mark 5:35-43.
While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead, why trouble the teacher any further?”But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. And when he had entered he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.”And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
Dear Pilgrims and Sojourners,
We return to the story of Jairus and the news is not encouraging.
Dread (vv. 35-36). The tidings that Jairus was dreading are now upon him. As if to show the extent of his loss, Jairus is now referred to as “ruler” (v. 35) and “ruler of the synagogue” (vv. 36, 38). He had sacrificed his status and reputation to save his daughter, now it seems it was all in vain. His position as leader is probably gone but so is his little girl. Jesus reassures the man and encourages him to substitute faith for fear. Whatever his inner conflict, Jairus does not protest.
Derision (vv. 37-40). The mourners in the house are a different story. Jesus has limited those who accompany him into the house to just three of his disciples. When he opines that the child is only sleeping, it provokes laughter. Rather than waste time on those who would not believe, Jesus put them out of the house.
Demonstration. (vv. 41-43). The most likely reason did not want more than the five witnesses to this stupendous miracle: he did not want the crowds to politicize his mission. The current messianic mission of Jesus is turning the hearts of rebellious humanity back to God. The final messianic mission will come at the end of the age when he establishes his kingdom and judges the nations. Raising the dead would finger Jesus as the Messiah. Since the crowds only saw the second mission, they could easily hamper Jesus’ first. The girl is said to have been twelve years old. This was an important milestone for Jewish children.
It was when they came of age. Note that Jesus defies the ceremonial rules and holds the girl’s hand. Touching a dead body rendered a person ceremonially unclean for the rest of the day. Jesus commands the girl to arise, and she did. In the place of mere ritual, Jesus gave life. When we begin to understand that Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), we are on the way to an exciting encounter with him.
Your Loving Pastor Chris.