Mark 5:35-43
“Notice what you notice.” Today is the second half of Mark’s account of the raising of Jairus’ daughter. I see Jesus today as a “take charge” guy: 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. (v. 40) One of my Study Bible notes said that professional mourners were often called in to weep and wail over someone’s death, but that the time would have been too short in this case to bring in professionals. So the people who were creating the commotion must have been family and close friends. Because of their relationship to Jairus and his family, they knew they had the right – even the responsibility – to be there, but Jesus “put them all outside”.
Picture this, folks. You’re at the hospital. A dear friend or relative has Stage IV brain cancer and the doctors have just announced that the patient is dead. You’re in the room with the patient or in the hallway outside with maybe a dozen other relatives and close friends. Then in comes the hospital chaplain or a Pentecostal minister who says, “Clear the room. The patient is not dead, only sleeping. Move on outside.” My reaction: “Who do you think you are!!” But the chaplain/minister is forceful and a few minutes later our friend is walking out of the room to join us.
Jesus was indeed a powerful presence. The beginning of this narrative had Jesus getting out of the boat and a great crowd gathering around Him. And {that} great crowd followed Him and thronged about Him (v. 24), so much so that the woman with the discharge was able to sneak up through the crowd to touch His garment, hoping she would not be noticed. So after her healing, here’s Jairus, anxiously waiting for Jesus to finish with the woman so He can get on to the little girl. And Jesus dismisses the crowd, taking with Him only Peter, James and John. Then He gets to the house and dismisses that crowd.
I’m trying to picture Jesus in this setting – stern, forceful, tough – but One Who is to be obeyed. I don’t think I have a stern, forceful, tough Jesus in my life. Maybe I need Him in that demeanor…??
Slava Bohu!