on May 16, 2013
Luke 8:49-56 – While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher any more.” Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.
Jesus had been delayed from His healing mission to Jairus’s home by the woman who touched the hem of His garment. In the meantime, Jairus’s twelve year old daughter died. The report of her death came to them with the encouragement not to bother Jesus anymore because it was too late! She could not be healed now that she was dead! However, nothing is impossible with God! Jesus dealt with this news report of her death with three simple phrases: 1) “Don’t be afraid.” 2) “Just believe.” 3) “she will be healed.” But, she’s DEAD, Jesus! I don’t think you heard us! We’ve lost her for good! “Stop wailing.” “She’s not dead but asleep.” Ha! Ha! Ha! We KNOW she’s DEAD! And, THEY were dead right, too! She WAS dead! BUT JESUS… He took her by the hand – amazing things happen when Jesus takes you by the hand! I mean, when Jesus takes you by the hand, He OWNS you! And, He said, “MY CHILD…” When you’re in the hands of Christ, you’re a child of God! Jesus claimed her as His very own child! And then He said, “Get up!” If you’re a child of God, and you’re dead, and Jesus says, “GET UP!” Guess what? YOU’RE GETTIN’ UP, KID!
One day, there will be a great gettin’ up morning! The Lord Jesus will come! The trumpet will blast a loud call, and Jesus will shout, “MY CHILD, GET UP! “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.