Mark 5:35-43 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Mark 5:35-43. Let’s go!
Mark 5:35 (NIV)
35 While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher any more?”
On verse 35: For everyone else in Jairus’ home, death meant the end, nothing more that can be done. But for Jesus, when someone dies, that’s when his work is only just beginning.
Mark 5:36-37 (NIV)
36 Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James.
On verses 36-37: Here Jesus models this important truth: Who you let you in and who you keep out is crucial to your destiny. That is, who you choose to listen to and who choose you ignore will determine your direction in life. More on this in just a bit. First look at verses 38-40.
Mark 5:38-49 (NIV)
38 When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly.
39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.”
40 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.
On verse 38-40: Why did Jesus kick everyone out of the room except the child’s father and mother and the disciples? It’s for the same reason that Jesus ignored Jairus’ friends when they said, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother the teacher anymore? (v35). It’s because God likes to hang out with people that have faith. God’s ideal work environment is an environment infused with faith. We cramp God’s style when we have no faith (see, for example, Matthew 13:58). In order for God to do His best work, it means ignoring and setting boundaries around those who are stuck in unbelief, fear and negativity so that they don’t affect your ability to move forward.
Sometimes we need to do the same. When you’re pursuing a big dream for God’s glory, you can’t be hanging around faithless, negative people all the time. To be at your best and to do your best work, sometimes you need to ignore and set boundaries around those whose words are habitually unbelieving, fearful and negative. Surround yourself instead with people of faith – not people who always agree with what you think – but people who are aligned with you in terms of vision, direction, values and faith. That’s when great things can happen.
Mark 5:41-43 (NIV)
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 walked 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.
On verses 41-43: This incredible miracle from Jesus reminds me of a favourite quote from C.S. Lewis: “Jesus didn’t come to make bad people good but to make dead people alive.” Jesus took the little girl by the hand and at Jesus’ command to get up, this little girl got up from death. I believe there’s a lesson in this for all of us: the Bible says that all of us are dead (separated from the living God) because of our sin. When we were dead in our sins, Jesus came to us, took us by the hand, and tells us to get up. The question is: will you answer Jesus’ command and get up, or will you remain in your slumber?
Jesus, You hold all of life in Your hands. Thank You for showing me today that it matters who I choose to listen to and who I choose to ignore. The answer could be a matter of life or death. And the answer could determine whether my life is defined by Your miracles or by my fears. May I listen to the right people whose words will lead in Your way. Most of all, may I listen to You. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
