When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. ‘Stop wailing,’ Jesus said. ‘She is not dead but asleep.’ They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and said, ‘My child, get up!’ Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat.” Luke 8:51–55 (NIV)
I was just out of college when my father died after a torturous battle with cancer. Surgeries, chemo, remissions and reoccurrences had created a rollercoaster of dread in our family. I knew the promise of eternal life, but even so, as I stood by his side in the ICU as the monitors marked his life ebbing away in remorseless numbers, death was no longer a theological discussion but a devastating reality.
During the immediate grief after my father’s death, and after other losses I faced, I sometimes felt a flare of anger when I read about Jesus raising Jairus’ daughter. He has proven Himself stronger than death, so why not return my loved one? I wondered if there were others in that village who had lost a child or a spouse, who marveled at this miracle even as a tiny part of their hearts cried, “What about my loss?”
One day I brought my confusion and longing to Jesus. “You’ve healed. You’ve raised the dead. My father fought so hard. Why didn’t you defeat death for him?”
And His soft whisper spoke to my heart: “I did.” Jesus granted Jairus’ daughter a few more years on earth, but one day she would face death again. And then He would defeat it permanently, as He did for my father. As He offers to do for each of us. Now when I read this story I celebrate this foretaste of the day He will take my hand and say, “My child, get up!” and welcome me into eternal life.
Faith step: Have you watched Jesus do something marvelous in someone else’s life and wondered if He’s overlooked your need? Tell Him about your pain, and let Him comfort you. Then send a compassionate note to someone you know who is grieving a loss.
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