Daily Devotions
Luke
Luke 8 : 41-56 "YOUR DAUGHTER IS DEAD...!" Luke 8:49"
Day 104 – Luke 8
Text: Luke 8 : 41-56
“YOUR DAUGHTER IS DEAD…!” Luke 8:49
Jesus was still speaking to the woman who had just been healed of a chronic gynaecological problem (“a flow of blood” Luke 8:43) that had plagued the woman for the last twelve years! Expectedly, Jesus stopped and talked to the woman for a little while.
She had spent “all her livelihood on physicians, and could not be healed by any” (Luke 8:43). She needed more than just healing. She needed a word or two of comfort and love from the Lord Jesus.
In the midst of talking to her, the worst possible news was related to Jairus! The delay had probably cost his daughter’s life! How could this have happened? Why did circumstances turn out this way? Why did Jesus stop to talk to the woman! After all, wasn’t she a woman? Wouldn’t Jesus have been (ceremonially) defiled now? Who knows what thoughts and feelings must have threatened to engulf Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue?
“DO NOT TROUBLE THE TEACHER…” Luke 8:49
The person who brought the sad news, had spoke one word too many. He had gone one step further than he should.
He was not wrong to bring the news to Jairus. However, he was wrong to say, “Do not trouble the Teacher…”
What did he know about the powers of The Teacher? What did he know what The Teacher was going to do next?
Did he know that no circumstances have ever mastered the Teacher? Did he know that The Teacher had raised a person from the dead before?
“DO NOT BE AFRAID; ONLY BELIEVE…” Luke 8:50
Jesus must have turned to Jairus, feeling for him deeply. He who had donned flesh knew what things brought uncontrollable grief sometimes. News of the death of an only daughter must have been devastating information to absorb!
How could he believe that The Teacher could do anything for his daughter now? Was it not too late? Could The Teacher really raise the dead?
Something in the words of Jesus must have spoken to his heart. Something about the Person and Presence of Jesus must have lifted his spirits.
“Do not be afraid…” Yes, it was fear that drove him to seek out Jesus in the first place. His fear for the life of his daughter outweighed his fears of criticism from his friends who doubted and opposed Jesus. Jesus knew all about his fears. Yes, he must battle his fears and overcome them somehow.
“Only believe…” It was hard to believe. But had he not believed in God all his life? Had he not been appointed a ruler of the synagogue? Surely, there must be a reserve of faith somewhere in his heart that he could call upon? Yes, Jesus was right. He must hold on to his faith. What was there to lose to have Jesus come over to his home?
WHAT IS DEATH?
When Jesus reached the home of Jairus at last, a group of mourners had already gathered. The Jews did not keep the body in the home. The body is usually dressed and quickly prepared for burial. The deceased would be interred within 24 hours. It was not uncommon for professional mourners to be called in, or to have a whole community to weep with the family members, especially if the family was well respected.
Jesus announced to all who mourned,
“Do not weep (“stop weeping”);
She is not dead, but sleeping.”
Luke 8:52
The mourners stopped their crying for a moment. How dare this Person say such words? They knew when a person had died! How dare He contradict their judgment that the daughter of Jairus had died!
Jesus did not dispute with the mourners that the daughter of Jairus had indeed died! The question was “What is death?”
Is death so final, that it is beyond the reach of the power of The Teacher? To the mourners – nothing could be more terminal! To Jesus – death was only sleep.
However, the occasion was not one for public debate! The occasion of death was painful for Jairus and his wife. The crisis on this occasion was best met by action!
A SELECT FEW
The Lord Jesus took only a small group of people with Him into the room where they had laid the daughter of Jairus. Out of the many Disciples Jesus had, only three were selected, Peter, James and John. Of course, the parents would have to be there too.
The Lord Jesus had said just awhile ago,
“Do not be afraid;
Only believe…” Luke 8:50
Now, He was going to show them just how their sustained faith in Him would be rewarded. Jesus took the twelve year old little girl by the hand and then went on to speak to her,
“Little girl, arise.”
Luke 8:54
Suddenly, “her spirit returned, and she arose immediately” (Luke 8:55). Her parents were “astonished” (Luke 8:56). How could this be? Yet, there was their daughter – alive… and hungry (Luke 8:55).
“HE CHARGED THEM TO TELL NO ONE WHAT HAD HAPPENED.” Luke 8:56
Obviously, Jesus did not want people to think that raising people from the dead was part of His regular ministry. Thus Jairus was charged not to tell people about this special miracle done for him. The raising of the daughter was a wonderful exception! What great lessons of faith must have been learned that day!