Knowing The Word in Luke 8:49-56

Jesus Heals Jairus's Daughter

8:49 While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler's house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” 50 But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” 51 And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child.52 And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” 53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” 55 And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. 56 And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.

Comments

We return to the story of Jairus’ daughter. Jesus had delayed the visit and miraculously cured a woman, but did he do it at the expense of a girl’s life? Jesus was able to cure diseases, but death is a different circumstance. They thought Jesus was useless now. Jesus told them to put their trust in him as an act of faith. What? Is this a conditional healing? All her dad needed to do was trust in Jesus for her to live again.

For the first time in Luke, Jesus singles out Peter, James, and John to come with him to witness an ever-greater miracle. While the previous healing was exposed publicly for the sake of the woman, this healing was private for the sake of the girl. What is death to all of us is no more than sleeping to Jesus. The girl’s parents laughed. They had no faith, no trust in Jesus, but that did not stop Jesus. This was no conditional healing. It was a foreshadowing of what Jesus will do in the future for those who put their trust in him.

Application

Why not tell about the great deeds Jesus has done? Wouldn’t that be great for his ministry? I think that Jesus has the girl in mind. He does not want her used for “fifteen minutes of fame.” Fame and celebrity are not good for children but rather very damaging. In this case, it might become all about her and not about Jesus. The ways of man are not the same as the ways of God. Consider where you are out of step with the ways of Jesus, focusing more your own fame than on the fame of Jesus.

Prayer

Father, I desire to be your obedient child. Out of the foundation and wealth of your sacrificial love for me, I want to live for you and your fame and not my own. Give me a heart to be your servant in all aspects of my life.