Gospel

I Say To You Get Up

by Roland Crim
08/25/19
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When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” So Jesus went with him. While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat. Mark 5:21-24a and 35-43 NIV

Of the three people whom Jesus raised from the dead, this one was done in front of the smallest audience. I wonder if He might have done this in part as with less people present it might have had more of an impact on those who were there. This is the only raising which dealt with a child, and the only one of a female. Notice how Jesus tried to calm Jairus after he was told by people that his daughter had died. This is also the only one of the three raisings which involved Jesus touching the body of the deceased.

Just as Jesus said get up to this girl, today He says to us “Get up! Arise from your old life to the new life which I have given to you.” He takes us by the hand, leading us away from our old self. He sends the Holy Spirit to indwell us. We are not left as orphans. Just as Jesus told the girl’s parents to give her something to eat, Jesus nourishes us through the indwelling Spirit, and with God’s Word. He also speaks with us in times of prayer. Just as we are raised from our old way of life, so will our spirit be raised after our earthly body perishes. We have an eternity with the Father and the Son which awaits us. Yes, Jesus says to each of us who belong to Him “Arise!”