“[God] gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;”
Romans 4:17
According to the Gospel record, Jesus miraculously raised the daughter of a local synagogue ruler from the dead (Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:22-43; Luke 8:41-56). The account is as riveting as it is instructive. Jairus, the synagogue ruler, came to Jesus positively panic-stricken. Mark states that “he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live’” (Mark 5:22-23). The Lord graciously agreed to help this desperate man. En route to Jairus’ house the Lord paused to address a woman who had been miraculously healed of a serious illness (that is another amazing account worthy of its own devotional!). Jairus was probably overwhelmed with anxiousness. Time was of the essence; his daughter was breathing her last breaths! Suddenly, he saw a small delegation from his house approaching. Their words confirmed what their faces revealed: “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?” (Mark 5:35). Those of us who have experienced the loss of a child know the anguish Jairus felt at that moment. He was positively devastated. The words of Jesus penetrated the gloominess like a bolt of lightning. “Do not be afraid,” said the Lord, “Only believe” (Mark 5:36). The Gospels state that when they reached Jairus’ house, they found people crying and grief-stricken. At that moment the Lord pronounced the girl not dead, but only sleeping. Some there “ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead” (Mark 5:53). Amazingly, at the Lord’s command, life returned to the little girl and she arose. The Lord then instructed her overjoyed parents to give her something to eat (Luke 8:54-55). This was the sign of complete restoration (Luke 24:41-43). What are we to say to these things? First and foremost, regardless of what human reason and our five senses may reveal, the Lord’s words stand true (Proverbs 3:5; Romans 3:4). Every time we come to the Lord’s table and partake of its elements, we celebrate the fact that we too were restored; as believers in Jesus we have passed from spiritual death to life (John 5:24). May we rejoice in so great a salvation, walking in newness of life (Romans 6:4), honouring God and blessing others also.
God bless you today my dear church family,
Pastor John
English