Mark 5:35–43 (ESV) —
35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 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.
NOTE: So much could be written and has already been written regarding this passage. Each time I read this and the previous one, I am moved to tears by the raw emotion of the events. In the previous passage, Jesus was delayed by a women, who for twelve years, had a bleeding problem. He was delayed in stopping the death of a young girl, twelve years old, who died on the doorstep of becoming a woman. The woman started suffering in the year this girl was born. The woman was dying and the young girl died. But on this day, twelve years from the start of the woman suffering and the girl's birth, both would meet Jesus, and would live. Of course, both are dead now, physically. The little girl needed to be fed, because her resurrection was not the resurrection to a new life. But soon, both will receive new bodies, incorruptible bodies. We don't know the faith of the little girl, but given the impact of Jesus on her parents, I have no doubt she comes to faith in Jesus.
This is where faith in Jesus shines. Jesus understood our pain and hurts. As God-become-man, he is uniquely suited to understand us. And he died for us because he loved us.
PONDER:
- Do I believe that God truly understands my pain?
- Or do I see God as outside of this world and some cosmic judge who only cares about my performance to his rules?
PRAYER: Father, thank you for the simplicity and vulnerability of Jesus. He came and experienced our life in all of its ugliness in order to be a sympathetic high priest for us.
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