Miracle Death to Life
Jairus’ Daughter
This is the last of the four interlinked miracles where Jesus brings peace in the midst of chaos. He has tackled natural, spiritual and physical episodes. Now he addresses the chaos caused by death.
Chaos causes fear. In each episode there is fear. The disciples were afraid in the midst of the storm, the people were scared of the demon-possessed man, the woman of her illness and being discovered and Jairus for his daughter.
Jesus demonstrates through his miracles that the answer to fear is faith. Through faith in Jesus, chaos is changed to peace. This was training for his disciples to do the same.
The greatest fear, and therefore the greatest cause of chaos, is of death. The disciples woke Jesus in the storm because they thought they were about to die.
Although Jesus carries out this remarkable miracle, raising a dead child back to life, he also wants to confront the topic of death. Today, we usually prefer to ignore this topic! This occurs whilst Jesus is going to Jerusalem, to his own death and ascension. Jesus wants his disciples to understand that death is not the end and explains that there is resurrection, life after death. In this situation he was therefore expressing a lack of fear, not just because in this instance he would raise the child but that death itself does not need to be feared. This is probably why he says the child sleeps when they knew she had died. Faith in resurrection means that death can be viewed like going to sleep, not an end but a new beginning.
Jesus repeats this example nearer to his death in the resurrection of Lazarus, again being delayed in getting to see him resulting in his death. Lazarus had been dead four days before being raised by Jesus. Jesus says "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me will live even if he dies". Again Jesus uses the term 'asleep'.
At Jesus’ time there was a debate about resurrection amongst the theologians. The Pharisees believed in resurrection whilst the Sadducees did not.
Resurrection is foundational in the teaching of Jesus.
The death and resurrection of Jesus is essential to tackle the foundational problems of a sick and dying humanity. Sin results in death, giving the devil power. In his death and resurrection Jesus destroys the devil and any power he has through death. Fear of death brings slavery in life. Jesus therefore removes the fear of death, bringing freedom from this slavery.
We do not usually have any fear of sleep and in Jesus have no need to fear death. At the start of these four episodes we find Jesus calmly asleep in the midst of chaos. It ends with a child waking up from sleep. In the boat and in life with Jesus, fear can be displaced by faith.
Background
Luke chapter 8 verses 40 to 56 - And as Jesus returned, the people welcomed him, for they had all been waiting for him. And there came a man named Jairus, and he was an official of the synagogue; and he fell at Jesus' feet, and began to implore him to come to his house; for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying. But as he went, the crowds were pressing against him. And a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. And Jesus said, "Who is the one who touched me?" And while they were all denying it, Peter said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing in on you." But Jesus said, "Someone did touch me, for I was aware that power had gone out of me." When the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace." While he was still speaking, someone came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, "Your daughter has died; do not trouble the Teacher anymore." But when Jesus heard this, he answered him, "Do not be afraid any longer; only believe, and she will be made well." When he came to the house, he did not allow anyone to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the girl's father and mother. Now they were all weeping and lamenting for her; but he said, "Stop weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep." And they began laughing at him, knowing that she had died. He, however, took her by the hand and called, saying, "Child, arise!" And her spirit returned, and she got up immediately; and he gave orders for something to be given her to eat. Her parents were amazed; but he instructed them to tell no one what had happened.
Chaos causes fear. In each episode there is fear. The disciples were afraid in the midst of the storm (chapter 8 verse 24), the people were scared of the demon-possessed man (verses 29,37), the woman of her illness and being discovered (verse 47) and Jairus for his daughter (verse 41).
Jesus demonstrates through his miracles that the answer to fear is faith (verses 25, 39, 48, 50). Through faith in Jesus, chaos is changed to peace (verses 24, 36, 48, 55). This was training for his disciples to do the same (verses 51, chapter 9 verses 1,2).
The greatest fear, and therefore the greatest cause of chaos, is of death. The disciples woke Jesus in the storm because they thought they were about to die (verse 24).
This occurs whilst Jesus is going to Jerusalem, to his own death and ascension (chapter 9 verses 31,51).
In this situation he was therefore expressing a lack of fear, not just because in this instance he would raise the child but that death itself does not need to be feared. This is probably why he says the child sleeps when they knew she had died (verse 52). Faith in resurrection means that death can be viewed like going to sleep, not an end but a new beginning.
Jesus repeats this example nearer to his death in the resurrection of Lazarus, again being delayed in getting to see him resulting in his death (John chapter 11). Lazarus had been dead four days before being raised by Jesus. Jesus says "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me will live even if he dies" (John chapter 11 verse 25). Again Jesus uses the term 'asleep' (verses 11 to 13).
At Jesus’ time there was a debate about resurrection amongst the theologians. The Pharisees believed in resurrection whilst the Sadducees did not (Luke chapter 20 verses 27 to 40).
The death and resurrection of Jesus is essential to tackle the foundational problems of a sick and dying humanity (Hebrews chapter 2 verses 14 to 18).
We do not usually have any fear of sleep and in Jesus have no need to fear death. At the start of these four episodes we find Jesus calmly asleep in the midst of chaos (chapter 8 verse 23). It ends with a child waking up from sleep (verse 55). In the boat and in life with Jesus, fear can be displaced by faith.