Mark 5:35-43 — As Soon As

Mark 5:35-43
While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 

Vasily Polenov, 1871

And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

 
Comments:

Jesus was talking to the woman he had just healed when men approached Jairus and told him the terrible news that it was too late for a healing—his daughter was dead—so there was no reason to bother Jesus anymore. Jesus, in the midst of dealing with the woman he had just healed, was also fully aware of the conversation going on behind him. We can see something of Jesus' compassion and quick action in the phrase "as soon as." He didn't leave the man to his fears and despair for even a moment. He turned and spoke words of comfort and then left the encumbrance of the mob behind, permitting none of the crowd to follow him. This was not a time for public display and delay but for powerfully personal and private ministry. In fact Jesus didn't want anyone to know that he had healed her, raising her from the dead (v. 43). He took only Jairus, and his three closest disciples (Peter, James, and John) and I get the impression that they arrived at the house rather quickly. These three would bear witness to this event at a later date.

 

Jesus banned (put out) all the professional mourners who were wailing and keening around the house because of the little girl's death. There was no room for those who had no faith, those who would laugh the Lord to scorn. I suspect that we fail to see more of the miraculous today because we, like the insincere and unbelieving mourners, have been put outside. Are we like those who only give the appearance of caring and believing or are we truly compassionate with others in their suffering and desperately dependent on the Lord in the midst of our own pain? If we need him and call on him, he is near to us...

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18)

Crowds, mourners, and the innumerable needs of the crowd aside, Jesus moved in power and tender compassion to raise the little girl up. She was healed immediately at his words, “Talitha cumi… Little girl, I say to you, arise” and given back to her parents. As God in the flesh, Jesus placed the little girl into the care of her parents for the second time—the first time was twelve years previous when she was born. The request to give her something to eat (v. 43) indicates something of Jesus' practical care for the child—it is likely that she had been unable to eat for some time previously due to her weakened condition. Such an action would also help the parents to believe that she really was alive.

So in our moments of panic, what does Jesus speak to our hearts? 

“Do not fear, only believe.” and “Arise!”