Jesus Healing in Secret Because of His Love for You
[38] They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. [39] And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” [40] And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. [41] Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” [42] And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. [43] And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
Mark 5:38–43 ESV Read More
If it was hard for Jairus to have hope when the men came and said “Leave the teacher alone, your daughter is dead,” then it would be especially difficult when his house is surrounded by mourners. A western person can’t prepare himself well for eastern mourning. Men and women scream and shout and wail so loud that you can hear them from a block away. There is something that seems right about that level of grief when it’s over the death of a 12-year-old girl, but that doesn’t make it any easier to hear.
Jesus’ question bends our ideas of death so far back that it snaps. “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” Just because they were ancient people doesn’t mean they were idiots. They knew when someone was dead. Jesus doesn’t scold them or rebuke them even when they laugh at Him for saying she isn’t dead. There is something to what He did next, though.
Jesus put everyone outside except for His disciples and her parents. All of the people that were wailing and then laughing weren’t going to be privy to what was going to happen next. Jesus tends to do things like this a lot. Like the parables, there are things that Jesus knows that don’t need to be taught to everyone. If somebody isn’t going to believe it or receive it, Jesus will spend time with the people that will. There is a time for reaching out to new people, but Jesus also knew the value to building up those who believed.
It’s almost like He had all of the unbelievers and unhopeful leave the room. He didn’t want to deal with controversy or debate. Who cares if this is the Sabbath or not? This girl needs to be restored to her family!
In a time of Snapchat and Facebook likes, it’s hard to believe that Jesus would do something just for you, to be kept a secret. The fact is that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever and He still cares about people enough to do things just because. This miracle was just for the girl, her parents, and His disciples. Sure, everyone else would find out about it, but the intimacy of care that Jesus had for them shows in the way He worked this miracle. He wanted them to know that He didn’t come to put on a show, but to bring life. Does He have some personal, inward life to bring to you today?
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