Daily Devotions
Mark
1 Peter 4:17b "And if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?"
Day 124 – Mark 5
“And if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17b
CHOOSING ONLY THREE DISCIPLES TO BE WITH HIM
As Jesus drew nearer to the house of Jairus, He selected only three disciples to be with Him. The multitude was of course excluded. He also did not include the other nine disciples.
“And He permitted no one to follow Him except
Peter, James and John, the brother of James.”
MARK 5:37
This text did not disclose any reason why Jesus selected these men to become His special Inner Circle. No amount of speculation would draw us closer to the reasons why He chose as He did. (It was Andrew who brought Peter to see Jesus, yet he was not included. But none of the disciples made any objection to Jesus’ selection. The Three would from here onwards become His closest disciples).
WEEPING AND WAILING IN DESPAIR
Finally, Jesus arrived at the home of Jairus. The scene at Jairus’ home showed utter despair. Could Jairus still “only believe?”
“Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue,
and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly.
When He came in, He said to them,
‘Why make this commotion and weep?
The child is not dead, but sleeping?'”
MARK 5:38-39
The mourners were aghast and angry with Jesus. How could He say that the child was not dead but only sleeping? They scorned Jesus for making this statement (Mark 5:40a)! Surely they knew whether a person was dead or alive? They knew that Jairus’ daughter had died! How dare Jesus contradict them so openly, and He had not even seen Jairus’ daughter yet!
A CLOSED DOOR MIRACLE
For this miracle Jesus was about to perform, He selected only the parents of the little girl who had died. Peter, James and John, were the only three specially privileged disciples to witness Jesus raising one from the dead.
The reasons for having just this small group of people to witness this spectacular miracle were obvious.
1. The parents ought to be there to witness the miracle with their own eyes
Jairus had expressed humble faith in Jesus. His faith would be honored that day!
2. The Inner Circle of Three
They would become the future leaders. They must have their faith strengthened further. Seeing this miracle ought to strengthen their faith significantly!