Jairus’ Daughter

Mark 5:35-43

“While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?” (Mark 5:35)

Jesus had been on the way to Jairus’ house to heal his daughter when the woman with the issue of blood touched him, resulting in Jesus stopping to talk to her.  Before he finished talking to her, one of Jairus’ servants came to tell them that the girl was already dead and there was no longer any point in Jesus coming to the house.

 

“As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.  And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.” (Mark 5:36-38a)

When Jesus heard what the servant said, he told Jairus not to be concerned that it was too late, but to believe in him.  From there on Jesus forbade any one except Jairus, Peter, James, and John to go with him.  A common mistake is that there is more power if more people are there.  One person with the Holy Spirit has access to all the power of God.  More people will not give God more power.     

”And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.  And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.  And they laughed him to scorn.” (Mark 5:38b-40a)

Jewish custom made for a great deal of drama when someone died, with weeping and wailing, at the top of their lungs to make sure everyone knew how upset they were.   The behavior upsets others so that the emotional response gets bigger and more uncontrolled.    Jesus asked why they were so upset because the girl was not dead, but in a coma.    They had seen many dead people and were sure they she was dead.  They began to make fun of him for thinking they couldn’t tell the difference.

  

“But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.  And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.  And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years.” (Mark 5:40-41)

Jesus chased out everyone except the father and mother and his three disciples, so that the girl would not be upset by the crowd when she recovered.  Then, with no drama or ritual, he took her by the hand and told her to wake up.    When he did she awoke and got out of bed,  She was twelve years old. 

Though he knew the girl was at the point of death, Jesus had taken time to deal with the woman with the issue of blood.  How many times do we get so caught up in the urgency of one situation we neglect others, considering them less important or urgent.  When we trust God, he will enable us to do everything that needs done.   Too often we forget to trust God completely in our efforts to make things happen. 

 

“And they were astonished with a great astonishment.  And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.” (Matthew 5:42-43)

Her parents and the disciples were amazed that he healed her so easily.  He instructed them not to make a big deal of it so she wouldn’t be upset, and told them to feed her and treat her as a normal child.