Mark 5:40b-43 - Jesus Raises Jairus' Daughter

Mark 5:40b-43
40 He took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this,and told them to give her something to eat.

Message: Jesus Raises Jairus' Daughter

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying: 

Jesus performs a healing, not before a large crowd, but just for a select few. He has pulled in 3 of his disciples for this moment, not the entire crowd and he ends this healing by saying to not tell anyone. Perhaps he knew that this was a miracle that if many got wind of it, he would be possibly arrested for this fanatical healing. He was in Capernaum where he would reside for most of his time, but his time was still just starting.

Many had been laughing at him that he had even got to the house, wondering why a man would even enter a place when the daughter had died and wailers had begun. But, Jesus remarked to them to not fear, only believe. He pulls the father and mother and his disciples into his inner circle. His purpose seems to be to minister to three people - father, mother, daughter - and then also his disciples will witness this event. Mark recounts the exact words Jesus spoke, in Aramaic - “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). Aramaic was the common language spoken in that area by the Jews. Mark writes this in Greek, which means he is speaking predominantly to a Gentile population. Thus, the reason he provides the translation of these Aramaic words he has spoken. 

When Jesus speaks, action or response happens immediately. There is no delay. There is no waiting. We witness the power of the spoken word. Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). Jesus is one of action. There was no touching, just words spoken and the girl rose. It mirrors the words spoken of God at creation. He speaks and it happens; creation occurs. There is something clearly very different about Jesus. He has a unique authority that the scribes even see. He has forgiven sin. And so far, like this, he does things that only God can do. He has a power like no one else.

At this they were completely astonished.  People are often surprised by his works. It is said that Jesus is either a Liar, Lunatic, or Lord. It seems like in our day Jesus is often thought to be a Liar or Lunatic by the way people respond to not just him, but his followers. People have bee trained in our day and age in the ways of Peter who wanted to see the nail-scarred hands: if I can't see it, I won't believe it. Despite the fact that the Gospels themselves provide us eyewitness accounts, people still do not believe. Even for this healing, Jesus could have included the crowd, but he didn't. He brought witnesses. That's all that was needed. It's almost like, if people can't believe by a witness, then they won't ever believe.

He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this. As Benson remarked in his commentary - "That he might avoid every appearance of vain-glory, might prevent too great a concourse of people, and might not further enrage the scribes and Pharisees against him; the time for his death, and for the full manifestation of his glory, not being yet come."

Promise: From Tabletalk: There is no “secret method” for growing the church and seeing people believe in Christ; rather, the faithful preaching and teaching of the Word of God is what the Lord uses to build His church.

Prayer: Lord, you know my desire in reading and studying through this Gospel of Mark is to put myself in the shoes of those that were witnessing you for the first time and honestly see what sort of reaction they were having. I am often trained by other people and I want to be trained by Your Spirit and what you have spoken to me. People often dismiss you and it saddens me because your Word is clear of who you are. I continue to ask that you would draw people to yourself and people would see you for who you really are and believe. Thank you for this message. Thank you for working the way You do. Thank you for healing and providing us witnesses to your message. I believe in the words of those witnesses. I can have confidence in this. Thank You Jesus.