Mark 5:35-43

Jesus had been approached by a man in anguish over his daughter, yet appears to have been distracted by a random woman in the crowd.  Jairus like any father would have been growing more anxious by the moment during this untimely introduction and just as it seemed that Jesus would be on his way again people approach Jairus from his house to tell him it was to late.  There was no point in taking Jesus’ time now; the chance to save the girl had passed. Overhearing the tragic news Jesus offers bizarre words of condolence, ‘Do not fear, only believe’.

Mourners bewailing the tragic loss of this young girl, await Jesus and Jairus as they arrive and yet Jesus’ strange words continue – this time he offers, “The child is not dead, only sleeping.”  In response Jesus receives ridicule, yet he asks the doubters to leave and entering the girl’s room with her parents he gently takes the young girl’s hand and offers two beautiful words “Talitha cum” meaning simply “little girl, get up” and then this little girl responds to the giver of life and opens her eyes.

I can’t imagine what it would be to experience what Jairus experienced that day.  To hear the news that my daughter had passed away, to see her lifeless body and as numbness is seeping through my very existence to hear words of life and to see my daughter open her eyes.

In this young girl we see both a display of Jesus’ incredible power and also a model of what we all must do.  In order to receive eternal life, we must first die to our old selves, put away everything that we once were and be born into eternal life with Christ.

Now: Read Mark 5:35-43

Then: Go Swedish (what’s this?)