Luke 8:49-56
49 While He was still speaking, someone came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; do not trouble the Teacher anymore.”
50 But when Jesus heard this, He responded to him, “Do not be afraid any longer; only believe, and she will be made well.”
51 When He came to the house, He did not allow anyone to enter with Him except Peter, John, and James, and the girl’s father and mother.
52 Now they were all weeping and mourning for her; but He said, “Stop weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep.”
53 And they began laughing at Him, knowing that she had died.
54 He, however, took her by the hand and spoke forcefully, saying, “Child, arise!”
55 And her spirit returned, and she got up immediately; and He ordered that something be given her to eat.
56 Her parents were amazed; but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened.
The Raising of Jairus’ Daughter
A worsening situation
On the way to Jairus’s house, an unexpected event occurred, and quite some time passed. That was the “healing of the woman with a chronic flow of blood.” In the previous passage, I wrote that Jesus does only what is 100 percent good. It is easy to say that when things are going smoothly. But what about when the situation begins to worsen? The situation surrounding Jairus grew worse. (1) His only daughter was at the point of death. (2) Jesus had agreed to come to his house, but along the way, an unexpected interruption occurred. (3) Then a messenger arrived and said, “Your daughter has died; do not trouble the Teacher anymore.” Even in such a situation, can we still say that Jesus does only what is 100 percent good? During this entire time, Jairus remained silent. If it were me, I might have resented the woman with the flow of blood. Or I might have felt dissatisfied, thinking that Jesus had spent too much time. It is said that synagogue officials were often men of upright character. Jairus was likely such a man as well. Jesus said to him, “Do not be afraid any longer; only believe, and she will be made well.” The words of the messengers may appear to show humility, but in reality, they reveal the limits of their faith. Do you believe that even in a hopeless situation, Jesus is the One who does only what is 100 percent good?
Greater glory
By allowing a delay along the way, Jesus revealed an even greater glory. (1) Jesus is always in control of every situation. Even the reality of death is under His authority. For Jesus, death is not annihilation but sleep. (2) Jesus did not raise the daughter amidst great commotion. He simply said, “Child, arise.” The words of Jesus carry power. (3) Jesus took with Him only a very few who had faith. From among the disciples, Peter, John, and James were chosen. When the daughter was raised, her parents were utterly astonished. But Jesus commanded that this miracle not to be made public, so that the girl would not become the object of people’s curiosity. The more hopeless the situation, the greater the glory of God that is revealed. Let us also learn to praise the Lord at all times.
Today's prayer
Father God of Jesus Christ, please forgive me for being swayed by the visible circumstances. You rule over even the worst reality of life, even death itself. Today, I make the decision to praise the Lord at all times. Please help me in my weakness. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.