Dead … or asleep?
by Sal Huckel
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He went in and said to them, ‘Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.’ But they laughed at him (Mark 5:39,40a).
Read Mark 5:21–43
We have come to this account in Mark of the healing of Jairus’ daughter after two very public healings: the demon-possessed man and the woman healed in the crowd by simply touching Jesus’ garment.
Now, we have a very odd situation. Jesus is ‘late’ for the healing of Jairus’ daughter (we know God is never late, but sometimes we wonder, don’t we?!), and she has already died. Or has she? Jesus tells the mourners in their wailing that the girl is asleep. He knows she is no longer alive – and he also knows she is about to be raised to life. Jesus can call that sleeping if he wants – he is God!
Sure enough, Jesus clears the house and raises the girl from the dead. So why did he say she was asleep? Next, we also learn that Jesus gave strict orders not to tell about the miracle.
Who knows whether they kept this or not? Why would he do this? Perhaps it had to do with his own ministry plans. Maybe it was to also protect Jairus from controversy since he was a synagogue leader.
His ways are higher than our ways. (Read Isaiah 55:8,9.) Sometimes, the work in our lives is just for us. We may pray or minister privately to a person who may never tell of the work God has done in them. Other times, there is a public testimony and news to share far and wide. There is a time for both. The outcome is the same: The power of God is moving in our lives, and he has his hand on us.
Praise be to him for that!
Lord God, thank you that your resurrection power, which raised Jesus from the dead, is working in my life! I praise you that nothing can separate us from your love! In Jesus’ powerful name, I pray, Amen.
Sal is married to Pastor Matthew Huckel, and they live in Victoria with their six children. Music, theology, literature and languages are passions the family share and explore together. Sal loves writing, speaking, and walking to the beach at every opportunity.
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