35 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?” 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 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. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat. -Mark 5:35-43
Jesus was on a healing streak. At this point he just healed the bleeding woman who we talked about yesterday. Today, he’s raising a girl up from the dead!
What an appropriate passage for us all today. Last night, if you checked the AYL Instagram feed, you’ll see that one of our friends Migo have lost his stepdad to COVID-19. If you read the GoFundMe page for Froilan Magallanes you’ll see that it’s filled with religious imagery of Migo’s stepdad now being united forever with God.
This is what this passage is about. Jesus has power over death itself! This miracle act was pointing to the even bigger miracle act that Jesus would perform by his death and resurrection—through Jesus’ sacrifice, we now have an ETERNAL resurrection.
This little girl who was resurrected, you know she did die again. This resurrection story is a story of a temporary resurrection. We don’t know when she died again, but we know she did because she’s not alive today obviously. Her temporary resurrection is but a foretaste of the eternal resurrection we have in Christ when we belong to him.
I know that 2020 has forced us to confront death in a way that many of us have never had to do. Only a few months ago we as a nation was just reeling from Kobe Bryant’s passing and now we’re dealing it with on a much more personal level with COVID-19 and our loved ones.
As we’re faced with the sting of death in our lives and in our society, may we as believers continue to remember the eternal resurrection promised to us by Jesus. May it gives us hope and may it compels us to share this hope with others who need it.
If you’re interested in helping support Migo’s family during this difficult time, I’ve included the GoFundMe page in the link below:
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