Faith, Hope And New Life

The delay in Jesus’ journey is reminiscent of his delay in going to the home of his friend Lazarus (John 11). The story continues, with its sharp contrasts between faith and unbelief.

Messengers come from Jairus’s house (35). They refer to Jesus as “the teacher,” a translation of “Rabbi” (cf. John 1:38); by this point in Mark Jesus’ status is now widely recognized. Trusting Jesus, even in the face of death, offers an alternative to the stark reality of the news that has been brought.

Jesus not only encourages faith, he also clears away anything that would reduce faith. So he goes on with only the inner circle of his disciples—Peter, James and John. By the time they arrive at Jairus’s house, there is already quite a crowd. Jairus is an important figure in the community, so his family’s misfortune will have drawn many people from the town and that would include a sizeable entourage of professional mourners, paid to wail and grieve with friends and family. Jesus’ reordering of the world has previously provoked fear, but now it draws mocking laughter of unbelief, so Jesus puts them out too. Neither questioning doubt nor mocking cynicism can be allowed to puncture faith.

Mark alone records Jesus’ actual words in Aramaic to her. There is no drama or fanfare—simply clear evidence of Jesus’ miraculous power. While even the three disciples are astonished at what they have seen, Jesus’ concern is with the girl. She is to be given something to eat—and no one is to be told. The family are recipients of a gift of grace, not performers in a miracle show.

What are the things that have, over time, sapped or undermined your faith? How might you leave those things behind and focus on God’s promises to you?