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.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
Jesus had stopped his journey to the ruler of the synagogue’s house to speak with the woman who had touched his cloak. His pause had resulted in Him not getting to the ruler’s daughter soon enough and she had died. Jesus hadn’t even finished speaking to the woman when people arrived and told the ruler that his daughter was dead, there was no hope anymore and he should not bother Jesus further. Jesus turned to the ruler and told him not to fear, only to believe. Then Jesus stopped the crowd from following Him and took only Peter, James, and John with him. When they arrived at the ruler’s house they saw a commotion of people mourning, probably professional mourners who would cry loudly outside the house of the dead. Jesus asked why they were making this commotion because “the child is not dead but sleeping.” They knew she was dead but Jesus was indicating that it was only temporary because of what He was about to do. He removed the mourners from the house and took in only His three disciples and the girl’s parents and there He told her to get up. She got up immediately. Mark tells us here that she was twelve years old which is the same length of time the woman had her bleeding condition. Everyone was amazed but Jesus told them not to tell anyone what had happened. While Jesus cured many sick and demon-possessed people, He wasn’t going to be raising many from the dead. Finally, he told them to give the girl something to eat. She had been miraculously raised but she would need practical things like food to stay alive.
How far will your faith go? Does it have a cut-off point where you no longer believe God can help you? The ruler had asked Jesus to help with his daughter and Jesus had said He would. The death of the girl brought an end to the faith of many who thought Jesus would help. Jesus said, “don’t fear, only believe.” If your faith is rooted in a specific outcome (He will heal her before she dies) then it is easier for your faith to fail when you don’t get your expected outcome. But if your faith is rooted in God doing what’s best for you and working for His ultimate glory, then you will get to see much bigger things than you even hoped for (Rom 8:28-29; Eph 3:20).