Skip to main content

128. "Talitha Koum!"


Matthew 9:23-26, Mark 5:35-43, Luke 8:49-56, Acts 9:36-43
Key verse: Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe."
Mark 5:36

If the book of Mark is, as it is believed, Peter's eye witness account written down by Mark, it is easy to understand why he gives such a detailed account of this miracle. As we can see, though a silent observer, Peter was watching and learning, and he himself would imitate Jesus in his own ministry years later with a dear saint named Tabitha.

We are left to wonder, was Jairus a secret follower of Jesus, or like so many of the other religious leaders, had he mocked Jesus in the past, but now turns to Him as a last resort? Notice, all of that detail is left out. We know nothing about Jairus’ character, but that he was a ruler of his local synagogue and therefore, a respected member of the community. Yet, Jesus does not treat him any differently than he does any of the others who are in need. Title does not matter. Good works do not matter. If they did, do you really think that Jesus would have bothered to deal with the unclean woman (that we discussed yesterday) ahead of responding to a respected leader?

The past doesn't matter either. Just suppose Jairus had been one to ridicule Jesus in the past. If he were, the past has been dropped in God's sea of forgetfulness, to be remembered no more. (Psalm 103) This story could have been used as an example of Jesus loving an enemy, but none of that is important to God's retelling of this event. Jairus is simply a man in need. His daughter is near death, or as we learn, has actually died, and Jesus has come along side to encourage a parent in a hopeless situation, while Peter is watching.

Consider the mourners who were probably being paid to make such a racket. Jesus dismisses them, while they laugh at Him. Jesus knew the truth so He could ignore the world's mockery. Could we imitate Him as boldly when the world mocks us for our faith?

Then, Jesus simply wakes the little girl up and calls her parents to care for her. How simple, how quiet, how private and how beautiful. Often, it is in the quietness that God uses us. It's in the simple things that He calls us to serve Him. If we are always watching, however, as Peter was watching, you just never know how what you have learned from Him will be used to bless others.

Hymn: Gentle Jesus

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

211. The Sons of Thunder's Request

Matthew 20:20-28 , Mark 10:35-45 , Key verse: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all." Mark 10:43B-44 In our readings for yesterday, in which Jesus outlined what was about to happen to Him, for His disciples, the passage in Luke ends: "The disciples did not understand any of this. It's meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what He was talking about." ( Luke 18:34 ) Now, we see just how truly clueless they were. Jesus had laid out a plan before them of pain and suffering and death and now James and John are focused on a promotion. The disconnect is so obvious. It's really not important to know whether James and john came up with this request on their own or if their mother put them up to it. The request was made and James and John thought that they could handle the responsibility that would come with it. What is that saying, "Fools rush in where angels fe...
Post a Comment
Read more

174. Pleading for the Fig Tree

Proverbs 27:18 , Luke 13:6-9 Key Verse: He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored. Proverbs 27:18 We have here three main characters: a master, who acquired the tree in hopes of eventually enjoying its fruit, a servant, who looks to the tree to reflect his care and attention, and lastly, the tree itself. The master has the right to expect his investment to pay off. The servant, who has obviously put much effort into the tree, would also like to see fruit. The servant's interest is not only to show his own talent in gardening, but because he wants to please his master. Both the servant and the master are dependent upon the tree to do what it was designed to do. Their little parable is an interesting way for Jesus to finish off His exhortation to, "repent or perish."  God is the Master. He had a purpose for you before you were even born. ( Jeremiah 1:5 & Psalm 139:16 ) He planted you on this earth to ful...
Post a Comment
Read more

204. Come Like a Child

Psalm 127 , Matthew 19:13-15 , Luke 18:15-17 , Mark 10:13-16 Key Verse: Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." Matthew 19:14 The attitude of the disciples isn't much different than the attitude of many people, even Christians, today. Instead of seeing children as a blessing from the Lord, too many regard them as a burden to bear that gets in the way of our own selfish happiness. Family size is determined by what we think we can afford rather than openness to God's blessing, trusting God to provide. Satan hates children. Children represent innocence. The sooner he can corrupt and or damage a child, the happier he is. This is why Jesus warned in Matthew 18:6: "If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drown in the depths of the sea." To corrupt or damage ...
Post a Comment
Read more