Amongst Death
Opening Prayer
God, as I come to Your Word, help me to develop greater faith in You.
Read Mark 5:35-43
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[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. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How is Jairus approaching Jesus?The story within a story turns to poor Jairus. The interruption by the woman with the flow of blood has been catastrophic for Jairus’ little daughter, who is now dead (35). It must have been an intolerable wait for Jairus, whose situation goes from desperate to hopeless. You may well have experienced something similar yourself, wondering why God doesn’t seem to be answering your pleas for help. Yet Jesus asks Jairus, and us, to believe not in what is seen but what is unseen: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). Jesus showed his power over the created world, when he calmed the sea (4:41). In our last two readings we have seen his power over disease and over evil spirits, and now we see his power over death itself. At the same time as Jairus’ daughter was raised to life, others in need would have died. But this story is a pointer to Jesus’ ultimate confrontation with death and darkness on the cross – death no longer has the last word.
Apply
Thank God for his ultimate victory over death: “ There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:4).
Closing prayer
Lord, as You walked the earth, Your compassion was always visible. Let it be so in my life.
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