“Out of the Box” Thinking
Opening Prayer
Merciful Lord, I’m thankful for Your great love and immeasurable power that is always available on my behalf.
Read Mark 5:35-43
[35] While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher any more?” [36] Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “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 ruler, 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 walked 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 Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What challenge did Jesus give to Jairus?We have seen Jesus overcome fear with faith (Mark 4:35-41), and with love (Mark 5:1-20). Here he met mortal fear with hope—demonstrating the apostle Paul’s famous trilogy (1 Cor. 13:13) in successive stories!
To use a term that is familiar to science fiction fans, Jesus is operating out of a parallel universe. In the universe of faith, hope and love (elsewhere referred to as the Kingdom of heaven), the “facts” of this world are seen differently. In the universe of faith, hope and love, death is not an irreversible end. With this parallel perspective, Jesus saw Jairus’ circumstances very differently from everyone else (39).
Jesus taught that the Kingdom of God was not of another time or another place, but was right there and then (1:15). As he later informed Martha in her moment of grief, the Kingdom of God was wherever he was loved and trusted (see John 11:25).
Parallel universes are not the exclusive territory of science fiction. They are theological facts. As the apostle Paul put it: anyone who belongs to Christ “is a new creation” (2 Cor. 5:17).
Apply
As you go about doing God’s work in the world today, look for the spiritual dimensions of faith, hope and love around you.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, I’m glad that Your Kingdom is with us here and now. Help me to see it more clearly.
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