Mark 5:35-43 (CEB)

35 While Jesus was still speaking with her, messengers came from the synagogue leader’s house, saying to Jairus, “Your daughter has died. Why bother the teacher any longer?”

36 But Jesus overheard their report and said to the synagogue leader, “Don’t be afraid; just keep trusting.” 37 He didn’t allow anyone to follow him except Peter, James, and John, James’ brother. 38 They came to the synagogue leader’s house, and he saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “What’s all this commotion and crying about? The child isn’t dead. She’s only sleeping.” 40 They laughed at him, but he threw them all out. Then, taking the child’s parents and his disciples with him, he went to the room where the child was. 41 Taking her hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Young woman, get up.” 42 Suddenly the young woman got up and began to walk around. She was 12 years old. They were shocked! 43 He gave them strict orders that no one should know what had happened. Then he told them to give her something to eat.


Reflection

If ever you felt like everything in the world was broken, this was the week. This week we were surrounded by death. The US passed 100,000 deaths from Covid-19. As if that wasn’t unbearable enough, we witnessed the racism that caused the violent murder of George Floyd. As Christians we are feeling heart broken, angry, helpless and overwhelmed, yet we trust in God’s transforming love and mercy.

Today’s scripture is about Jairus who was desperate to save his sick daughter. He seeks Jesus out and begs him to come and heal her. His worst fears come true when a messenger arrives telling him his daughter was dead. At that moment he felt it was too late to save his daughter, but Jesus says to him, “Don’t be afraid, just keep trusting.” They arrive at his home already surrounded with the sound of crying and wailing. Jesus throws out the mourners, who have already decided they know how this story ends, telling them, “The child isn’t dead. She’s only sleeping.” Then Jesus gathers together his people of faith, those who have trust in him, to go into her room. Jesus takes her by the hand and tells her, “Young woman, get up.” She gets up and walks and “they were shocked.” The power of God through Jesus to redeem, restore and resurrect us is how the story ends.

By Jeneene Reduker


For Pondering & Prayer

Maybe this story is really about us. Maybe we get complacent and we go through life sleeping, never living the abundant life God intended for us. Then our world comes crashing down on us. It is in times like these that Jesus takes us by the hand and tells us,“Don’t be afraid, just keep trusting.” It’s time to “Get up!”

What is Jesus calling you to “Get up!” for today? Is it acts of justice? Is it acts of mercy? Faith is complete trust in God. We can’t presume we know how this story ends. The power of God, who in his infinite love and mercy has redeemed us, is how the story ends.

Prayer: God of love, justice and mercy, you have redeemed us, restored us, and resurrected us to new life. Help us to not be afraid, to keep trusting you, and to get up and be your people working for your Kin(g)-dom. Amen.