Living to Die, Dying to Live

Double jeopardy.  No, not the second round of the game show hosted by Alex Trebek.  It's the legal principle that forbids a defendant from being tried again on the same charges after a legitimate acquittal or conviction.  In the US, the fifth amendment of the Constitution bars double jeopardy.  

According to Paul, God's law has a similar principle.  "For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God" (v19).  The apostle uses the idea of double jeopardy to get his point across to the Galatians that we are now free in Jesus to live a life wide open for God.  

Dying to live.  Living to die.

Paul tells us that "through the law I died to the law."  When he holds God's perfect law up to his own life, it reveals just how horribly imperfect he is.  The glaring light of God's holy Word is like spiritual luminol that reveals every drop of sin in our lives.  The law makes it blatantly obvious that we are sinners.  Guilty.

As Matt Chandler uses a medical analogy to help us understand the law.  He sees the law as a diagnostic tool like an MRI, CT scan or x-ray.  Doctors use these machines to find out what's going on inside our bodies and see what's wrong.  The law and its impossible standard of perfection and behavior are means of diagnosing my sin sickness.

Back to the courtroom, we stand unquestionably guilty of a capital crime.  The judge hands down the only possible sentence.  Death.  "For the wages of sin is death" (Rom 6:23).  Death.  I am a dead man walking.

But the executioner leads Someone else out of the courtroom in my place.  It's Jesus!  Sinless Jesus.  Spotless Jesus.  The perfect Lamb of God dies in my place.  He willingly takes the full brunt of God's wrath for my sin, your sin and every sin ever committed.  And as a result, the penalty for my crime is paid in full.  Case closed.

That's what Paul means when he tells us that through the law he has died to the law.  Once the court of heaven convicted and executed the guilty, the law has no further claim on him.  The apostle uses the analogy of a widow being free to remarry after the death of her husband (Rom 7:1-6).  The law no longer bars her from marrying another.  

Verdict delivered.  Sentence executed.  Justice satisfied.  Since Jesus died to the law in our place, double jeopardy is no long possible.  "Do you knot know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?" (Rom 6:2).  We died when He died.  He died so that we could live.  The game has radically changed as a result.  "For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace" (Rom 6:14).    

Dying to live.  Living to die.

Paul goes on to say that as a result of dying to the law, he is now able to live to God.  Because of Jesus' substitutionary death in my place, I'm now able to put the pedal to the metal for the Lord.  I can live wide open for Him.  

The apostle states this idea in a slightly different way to his Roman posse.  "My brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to Him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God" (Rom 7:4).  Dead to the law. Living for God.

Dying to live.  Living to die.

God's Word is loaded with paradox.  Don't confuse this with contradiction.  Contradiction is when two things oppose each other in such a way that they can't exist together.  Paradox just SEEMS to be a contradiction.  Yet because of our Great God, these two apparent opposites coexist wonderfully and beautifully.  So it is with death and life.

Dying to live.  Living to die.

So what do we do with this?  How does that impact my life today?  This truth allows us to live with no fear of failure.  No concern about what others think of you.  No worries about tomorrow.  Jesus has died so that we could live.  Buckle up.  Pull your straps tight.  And hit the accelerator to live for God.

Dying to live.  Living to die.

©2012

Jay Jennings

The Record Scratch

Back before Spotify

SKRRRRRRRRP!

That’s the sudden and unexpected sound of a record scratch. Let’s go back before iTunes or Spotify. Before CDs. Before cassettes. Rewind even further. Even before eight-track tapes, everyone listened to vinyl. We ALL listened to vinyl. Not just the nerdiest audiophiles.

Back in the day, folks knew firsthand all about the irritating screech made by dragging the needle across an LP or 45. Fast forward to the 21st Century, the record scratch has become a kitschy sound effect. Or as Merriam-Webster puts it, the noise associated with “surprise or change…an abrupt interruption.”

Leader of the Revolution

Way back even before turntables, Jesus drops such unexpected news on His closest followers that it’s deserving of one of the loudest record scratches in history. He’s just confirmed to the disciples that He is indeed the Messiah, the long-awaited Hero from heaven. Just NOT the kind of Messiah they’re expecting.

The anticipation of the Hebrew nation for the Messiah is a revolutionary political and military leader. He would command the rebellion, throw their Roman oppressors out on their ear, and lead the Jews to become a world superpower like never before.

Instead Jesus reveals He’s come as a very different kind of Messiah. Don’t expect Him to rise up against Rome. No, He’s come to be the suffering Servant who will lead the rebellion against sin and death.

The Messiah Will Suffer?!?

We pick up the story in the eighth chapter of Mark’s Gospel. “Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of the religious law. He would be killed, but three days later He would rise from the dead” (v31).

The Messiah will suffer?!? Be rejected?!? And be KILLED?!?!? What in the wide world of sports is going on here?!?!? That is NOT how this is supposed to go down!! Cue the earsplitting sound of a record scratch.

SKRRRRRRRRP!

Who Is Jesus?

Mark’s bio of Christ takes a hairpin turn here in the middle of chapter 8. Till this point, the second Gospel asks one question over and over and over. Who is Jesus? Could He possibly be Messiah? Is He the One God has promised to send that we’ve all been waiting for?

His weird, bug eating cousin John knew exactly who He was (Mk 1:7-11). So do the devil and his toadies (Mk 1:12). But until now, Jesus keeps everybody else guessing.

Off His Rocker or Straight from Satan?

Is He crazy? His own family thinks so (Mk 3:20, 31-32). Folks in His hometown certainly aren’t impressed (Mk 6:1-6). Religious leaders even suspect He’s on assignment straight from Satan (Mk 3:22).

But as He continues to teach the people, heal the sick and diseased, as well as drive out demons, Jesus’ popularity surges to an all-time high. Is is possible that He’s one of the great prophets of the OT who’s come back for an encore (Mk 6:14-15; 8:28)?

A Hike into the Mountains

All along the way, the Lord starts dropping clues that He could actually be the Christ. Here on this hike from Bethsaida up into the mountains near Caesarea Philippi, Jesus connects the divine dots for the disciples (Mk 8:27-30). Yes, He IS the Messiah!

Not That Long Ago

Strap yourself in their sandals and let that sink in for a moment. This radical Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth really is the Christ. 

Picture yourself as James or John. It wasn’t that long ago that you were working at your dad’s fishing business when this Man invited you to be part of His posse (Mk 1:16-20).

Or maybe you're Matthew.  You were busy putting the squeeze on your own people and taxing them on behalf of the evil Roman Empire. Then one day, Jesus stops by the office to chat when everyone else avoids you like the plague. Meeting Him is so life changing that you throw a party for your friends so they can meet Him too (Mk 2:13-17).

Blowing Their Messianic Minds

In the months that follow, it becomes even more clear that something is very different about Him. His teaching. His miracles. His compassion. You have those whispered side conversations with the other guys. Could He be the One? Is it really possible?

Here in the shadow of massive Mount Hermon, Jesus confirms He’s the Christ. There’s just one problem. He’s not THAT kind of Christ. Not the one they’re expecting, anyway. As a matter of fact, He’s about to blow their messianic minds.

Jesus’ Personal Favorite Nickname

First of all, Jesus confirms He’s Messiah by calling Himself the “Son of Man” (v31). This is our Savior’s favorite nickname for Himself. This phrase shows up a total of 14 times in Mark. And the only person who calls Jesus the Son of Man is none other than Jesus.

What exactly does the name mean? It comes from a passage in the OT where God pulls back the curtains of the heavenly throne room for a dude named Daniel. What the prophet sees is a divine coronation, a passing of the baton from Father to Son.

Messiah’s Coming out Party

“As my vision continued that night, I saw Someone like a Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient One and was led into His presence. He was given authority, honor, and sovereignty over all the nations of the world, so that people of every race and nation and language would obey Him. His rule is eternal—it will never end. His kingdom will never be destroyed” (Dan 7:13-14).

All Bible scholars agree on the identity whom Daniel sees. The Ancient One is the First Person of the Trinity, God the Father. The Son of Man is the Second Person of Godhead, God the Son.

Dan’s vision is actually the Messiah’s coming out party. So when the Son of God uses the Son of Man as His personal label, it’s His not-so-subtle way of revealing He’s the One the Father has promised to send.

Dripping with Meaning

Jesus reaches deep into the OT and selects a name that drips with messianic meaning. Jews know full well what the Son of Man signifies. It’s another way of saying the Christ or the Anointed One. But it’s a title that probably doesn’t trigger any alarms for the Romans.

This. Must. Happen.

At this point, you can bet the boys are all in. Our Lord is Messiah! Sweet!! We’ve hitched our wagon to the right Rabbi, fellas!!! Suddenly our Savior says that He “must suffer many terrible things” (v31).

What the WHAT?!?!? Messiah is supposed to rule and reign. Who said He “must suffer many terrible things” (v31)? Jesus makes it clear that what’s about to happen isn’t a possibility. There’s no getting around it. This. Must. Happen.

It’s a Lock

“Must” is the Greek verb δει/dei, which means to be necessary and inevitable. It comes from a root word meaning to chain things together or put someone in handcuffs. We’re talking about something that is a lock. It’s not “if” but “when.” 

A little later, the Lord tells the Twelve all about how God will pull all the strings just before His Second Coming. “These things must (Gr. δει/dei) take place” (Mk 13:7). It’s ALL part of the plan. It’s all part of HIS plan!

God’s Gonna Do What God’s Gonna Do

We may think we know what God has to do. There’s just one little problem. God’s gonna do what God’s gonna do. Period. Just ask Job. Here’s what he said to the LORD after his ordeal, “I know that You can do anything, and no one can stop You” (Job 42:2).

When God wants to do something, there’s no getting around it. It’s a lock. This. Must. Happen.

A Prediction of Pain

And Jesus says what’s about to go down is going to be nasty. Well, at least three out of the four. First, He’s going to “suffer many terrible things” (v31). “Suffer” (Gr. πασχω/pascho) is a word in the original language which means to experience physical or psychological pain, if not both.

You might be interested to know that this term is the source for both Passover as well as what we’ve come to call Jesus’ passion describing His crucifixion, death, and burial. This suffering reminds me of when they ask Clubber Lang’s prediction for his fight with Rocky Balboa. “Prediction? Pain.”

Our Savior is predicting His own pain on what we’ve come to call Good Friday. He’ll undergo not just the physical torture of 

scourging and one of the most excruciating forms of capital punishment the world has ever seen, but the psychological torment of rejection by His heavenly Dad.

No Ticker Tape Parade

Second, Jesus breaks it to the boys that He’ll “be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of the religious law” (v31). Imagine the disciples shock at hearing these words. Of all the people on the planet, shouldn’t these guys be the ones who organize the ticker tape parade for God’s Messiah?

The Roster of Religious Big Wigs

Let’s take a snapshot of the roster of religious big wigs the Lord lists here. Leading off are the elders. These are older members of the ruling council who’ve orbited the sun for several decades. They don’t necessarily hold a professional position like a priest or scribe.

Next are the leading priests. These men are in charge of worship at the temple in Jerusalem. It wasn’t that long ago that the chief priest had to be a descendant of Aaron and served for life. But once the Romans rolled in, they threw that out the window and handpicked the high priest.

So the leading priests includes also includes those who had previously served in that role. Apparently, once a chief priest, always a chief priest. The term could also include other important priestly power players at the time.

The So-Called Experts

Last and certainly not least in this who’s who of the Jews are “teachers of the religious law” (v31). A lot of the other translations call them “scribes.” These are the so-called Bible experts who should know the finer points of interpreting and applying Scripture. Notice how I said “should.”

Despite their incredibly impressive resumes, the Lord says these big dogs from the Hebrew home office will reject Him as Messiah. The idea behind this kind of rejection is to kick something to the curb after determining it is counterfeit.

A Brutal Murder

Which brings us to the third part of this terrible triple play. Don’t think this is simply the Jewish leaders telling Jesus “thanks but no thanks.” The Son of God tells the Twelve that “He will be killed” (v31).

That translation of the Greek verb αποκτεινω/apokteino actually soft sells it just a bit. This word describes a brutal murder or dying a violent death. What ultimately awaits Jesus in Jerusalem will be gruesome and gory.

Just to review. Christ says it won’t be pretty. Pain. Rejection. Violent death.

The Suffering Servant

While His closet followers can’t figure out what all this has to do with God’s Anointed One, the prophet Isaiah wrote extensively about how Messiah would actually be what he calls the suffering Servant (Is 52:13-53:12).

This prophetic passage checks all the same boxes that Jesus teaches His team. One, it must happen. “It was the LORD’s good plan to crush Him and cause Him grief” (Is 53:10). In other words, what’s about to happen is right down the center of the Father’s plan.

Suffering, Rejected, Murdered

The Servant Messiah will suffer terribly. “His face was so disfigured He seemed hardly human, and from His appearance, one would scarcely know He was a man” (Is 52:14). The Christ will be “treated harshly” (Is 53:7).

Isaiah describes in detail how the Messiah will be a target of rejection and scorn. “He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief…He was despised, and we did not care” (Is 53:3).

And just as Jesus tells the Twelve, He will be brutally murdered. “He was led like a lamb to the slaughter…No one cared that He died without descendants, that His life was cut short in midstream” (Is 53:7, 8). When it’s over, “He was put in a rich man’s grave” (Is 53:9).

The Reason for the Bloody Scene

Believe it or not, Isaiah wrote these words 700 years BEFORE Jesus was born! The prophet also reveals the reason behind this bloody scene. It’s all for you and me. Yeah, you read that right. For you. For me.

“We thought His troubles were a punishment from God…but He was pierced for OUR rebellion, crushed for OUR sins. He was beaten so WE could be whole. He was whipped so WE could be healed” (Is 53:4-5, emphasis added).

SKRRRRRRRRP!

It’s God’s Idea

Yeah, you read that right. This is all God’s idea. It’s the Father’s plan. He gave His one and only Son so that we could have a relationship with Him. It’s the only way to bridge the mammoth chasm between Him and us.

A guy named Paul says it this way AFTER it happened. “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ” (2Cor 5:21).

Jesus Does for Us What We Can’t

Through the lens of 2,000 years of history, we can see what the disciples can’t. We know that Jesus lives the perfect life that we failed to live. He suffers excruciating pain and is totally rejected so that we never have to be. He dies the death for our sin that we should have died.

But thank heavens that it doesn’t stop there. He rises to a glorious new life that we totally do not deserve.

A Sudden Realization

Zoom back to the scene in Mark. If we could only see the looks on the faces of His disciples at His words. This is certainly not the reception Messiah is supposed to receive. Suddenly they must realize they’ll soon face something very similar. Pain. Rejection. Violent death. Cue the record scratch.

SKRRRRRRRRP!

Drowning out the Best Part

The ear-piercing sound apparently drowns out what Jesus says next. “But three days later He would rise from the dead” (v31). All His talk of agony, denial, and murder is so loud that they never hear the best part.

Two more times, Jesus will look His team straight in the eyes and tell them about His upcoming betrayal, murder, and resurrection (Mk 9:30-31; 10:32-34). And just like the first time, they just don’t understand (Mk 9:32; 10:35-45).

They just don’t get it. And before we get too cocky, you and I wouldn’t either. But it won’t be long before they do. One day soon, the resurrected Christ will come strolling out of the cemetery on a quiet Sunday morning.

A New Mega-Theme

What they don’t understand now is that before the Son of Man can rule and reign forever, He must first suffer and die on our behalf. And so begins the new mega-theme in Mark’s Gospel. Jesus has a date with death in Jerusalem on our behalf.

Later that Friday, an even more deafening scrape will resonate throughout all eternity. When our Savior dies in our place, rocks will split, curtains are torn, and dead will rise. Talk about a record scratch!

SKRRRRRRRRP!

©2018

Jay Jennings

It's Not Over until Jesus Says It's Over

When the Lightning Strikes

Some games are over before they start. The opponents are so mismatched that the outcome is stone cold, lead pipe lock. Then there are contests where the combo of time and score is so overwhelming so late in the game that it’s in the bag.

But as many sports fans know, these are exactly the times when the magic can happen. When lightning strikes. When history is made. We end up with crazy stories like the Cardiac Pack, the Miracle on Ice, and the Immaculate Reception.

Dismissing the Miraculous

As hard as it is to believe them when we see them in the world of sports, we tend to dismiss the miraculous in our daily lives. Mountains are way too tall. Oceans are way too deep. Enemies are way too mean.

I mean, we’ve ALL been there. Your spouse tells you the marriage is too far gone. Your creditors tell you the payment is too late. Your doctor tells you the disease is too far along. It’s over. Forget it. Time to throw in the towel. Time to cut bait. Time to put on your big boy pants and deal with it.

The Difference Maker

But too many times we fail to check with the one Person who can all the difference. The one Person who has the final say. The one Person who can change it all.

It’s not over until Jesus says it’s over.

A Doubleheader of Desperation

That’s exactly what’s about to go down as we read the fifth chapter of Mark’s Gospel. Picking up the story in verse 21, we actually see a doubleheader of desperation. Jesus and His boys have just returned by boat from wild encounter with a demon-possessed dude in a cemetery on the other side of Lake Galilee (Mk 5:1-20).

As soon as their feet hit the beach near Capernaum, a desperate dad runs up to them (Mk 5:21-24). A local religious big wig named Jairus needs Jesus’ help right here, right now. His baby girl is at death’s door. Jairus believes the radical Rabbi/Carpenter from Nazareth is his only hope.

The Pariah and the Messiah

A huge crowd follows Jesus, Jairus, and the rest of Christ’s crew for this holy house call. If you look closely in the craziness, you’ll see a woman crawling toward our Savior, stretching out her hand in one drastic attempt at a drive-by miracle (Mk 5:25-34).

The Messiah heals the pariah after twelve years of messy bleeding. He not only wants to look her in the eye, He wants her to tell her story for all to hear.

We Don’t Have Time for This!

Meanwhile, put yourself in Jairus’ sandals at this moment. The good news is you’ve been able to convince Jesus to come to your house and heal your daughter. The bad news is He’s stopped to do a meet-and-greet with some woman you won’t allow anywhere near your synagogue.

Jesus, we don’t have time for this! Let’s not waste a second chatting it up with anybody. The clock is ticking! We gotta go and we gotta go NOW!!

An Update from Home

Mark picks up the story with an update on the little girl’s condition. “While He was speaking to her, messengers arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. They told him, ‘Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now’” (v35).

Imagine Jairus’ reaction. One second, everyone’s celebrating Jesus’ sudden healing of a desperate woman. The next second, you hear your daughter is dead. All the air leaves your lungs. All the hope drains from your heart.

“Your daughter is dead” (v35). Those words echo in your ears. A parent is not supposed to bury their child. Especially their twelve-year-old child (Mk 5:42). She’s gone. You’re too late. Even if the woman hadn’t distracted Jesus, He probably wouldn’t have made it to your house in time.

No Skin off Jesus’ Back

“There’s no use troubling the Teacher now” (v35). Talk about the understatement of the century. Interesting choice of words. “Troubling” (Gr. σκυλλω/skullo) means to annoy, harass, or pester someone. It’s original meaning describes pulling the skin off a living being.

But this incredibly sad dad soon finds out that it’s no skin off Jesus’ back! “But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, ‘Don’t be afraid. Just have faith’” (v36). One more time, put yourself in Jairus’ position. The Lord looks you right in your tear-filled eye and speaks right to your broken heart.

You see, it’s not over until Jesus says it’s over.

Stop Freaking out

“Don’t be afraid” (v36). Flip through the 66 ancient documents that we call the Bible and you’ll see God reassuring His people to stop freaking out. Hundreds times in all sorts of forms. In the Old Testament. In the New Testament.

We have nothing to fear because He’s always with us. King David wrote a hit song with a lyric that goes a little something like this: “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid for You are close beside me” (Ps 23:4).

When Your Life Is in the Pits

Jesus wants Jairus and the rest of us to know there’s no reason to fear when He’s at our side. As a matter of fact, David has another tune containing an important truth about that. “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed” (Ps 38:18).

When life blindsides you and crushes your soul, you’re not alone. You can be sure that Jesus is closer than ever. He climbs right down in the mud, the blood, and the beer with you in order to pull you out of the pit.

Just Trust Me

Notice how our Savior doesn’t just stop with the command to stop being afraid. “Just have faith” (v36). This is the Greek verb πιστευω/pisteuo. It paints a picture of complete reliance, absolute confidence, or total trusting. Jesus asks Jairus, “Just trust Me.”

We may not understand how. We may not understand when. But we can understand Whom. The Lord wants us all to take a deep breath and be absolutely sure of one thing. He’s got this. Take the Word at His word. “Just trust Me.”

It’s not over until Jesus says it’s over.

The Big Three

That’s when the Son of Man acts like the doorman at the hottest club in town. He suddenly limits His entourage. “Then Jesus stopped the crowd and wouldn’t let anyone go with Him except Peter, James, and John (the brother of James)” (v37). Meet the Big Three.

For the first time in Mark’s Gospel, Christ introduces us to His inner circle. He gives these three former commercial fishermen a front row seat for some of the most amazing moments in history.

The Big Three is on the mountain when Jesus suddenly shines like the sun and talks with a pair of Old Testament heavyweights (Mk 9:2-13). He invites them to Gethsemane that fateful night as He pleads with His Dad to find another way to defeat sin and death (Mk 14:32-42).

Jesus’ Inner Circle

John MacArthur points out that biblical authors never say why Jesus allowed the Big Three to see things that the other disciples didn’t. But what if this smaller subset of Christ’s crew is example for us when it comes to accountable relationships?

There’s nothing wrong with having lots of so-called “friends” on Facebook (you do realize they’re not REALLY friends, don’t you?). You have relationships with family, neighbors, coworkers, and other believers at church and in your small group.

Relational Capacity

But how many of them do I know, I mean REALLY know? After a truckload of research, a Brit named Robin Dunbar thinks we have a relational capacity of around 150 people. Folks at MIT break that number down even further to say we really only have emotional room for four close close friends.

Do you have three or four close friends you can count on? Who will always be there? Who will tell you the truth? Who will listen patiently and love unconditionally? I love how Tim Keller puts it. A true friend always lets you in and never lets you down.

A Riot at Jairus’ House

It’s quite a scene at Jairus’ house. “When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw much commotion and weeping and wailing” (v38). The word the NLT translates as “commotion” (Gr. θορυβος/thorubos) describes the confusion and uproar of a large crowd that’s on the verge of a riot.

Mark uses same word when religious leaders try to figure out a way to get Jesus out of the picture quietly “or the people may riot (Gr. θορυβος/thorubos)” (Mk 14:2). It’s how Luke describes the violent uproar in some cities when Paul tells people about Christ (Acts 20:1; 21:34; 24:18).

How loud is it? The verbs Mark chooses for “weeping and wailing” (v38) put a heavy emphasis on volume. We’re not talking about soft gentle sniffling. This is howling, blubbering, it-goes-to-11 wailing. Yeah, THAT loud.

Professional Mourners

While we don’t know what the situation was a Jairus’ joint when he left to get Jesus, things sure seem to have escalated quickly. No doubt there’s a lot of raw emotion with the news of the little girl’s death. But chances are the crowd also includes professional mourners.

Just like hiring a caterer or photographer for your wedding, folks in the First Century could actually employ mourning mercenaries. I gotta wonder how you end up with that career path. Whatever the case, they were there and it was loud.

She’s only Asleep

Jesus walks inside the house and wonders why everybody is freaking out. “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child isn’t dead; she’s only asleep” (v39). Asleep? Are you kidding me?!?

The folks in Jairus’ house cackle at Christ’s comment. “The crowd laughed at Him” (v40). They’ve made the mistake of thinking He’s misdiagnosed her problem as just another lazy middle schooler with an overuse of the snooze button. The little girl is most certainly dead. Well, at least for the time being.

It’s not over until Jesus says it’s over.

The 800-Pound Gorilla

At this point, the Lord lets them know they don’t have to go home but they can’t stay here. “He made them all leave, and He took the girl’s father and mother and His three disciples in the room where the girl was lying” (v40).

We’ve reached the moment of truth. Mom. Dad. Peter. James. John. Jesus. And the lifeless body of a twelve-year-old girl. But there’s also an 800-pound gorilla in the room as well. Is the Lord too late?

Time to Get up

Our Savior reaches down to Jairus’ dead daughter. “Holding her hand, He said to her, ‘Talitha koum,’ which means ‘Little girl, get up!’” (v41). Those two weird words aren’t some sort of mystical abracadabra. It’s actually Aramaic, the language of First Century Israel.

While both Luke also records Jesus’ visit to Jairus’ home (Lk 8:49-56), Mark is the only one who tips us off as to the Son of God’s actually words to his little girl. Why’s that such a big deal? Because early followers of Christ believe the author got his info straight from the apostle named Pete.

Amazed with Amazement!

What happens next is one for the record books. “And the girl, who was twelve years old, immediately stood up and walked around! They were overwhelmed and totally amazed” (v42).

A dead girl opens her eyes, hops up off her death bed, and struts around the room. “Overwhelmed and totally amazed” seems like a massive understatement. So much so that the original language here actually doubles down on just how dumbfounded they were.

Mark actually uses two different forms of the same word to get across the marvel of the moment. You could just as easily translate this as they were “amazed with amazement” or “astonished with astonishment.” When a dead girl sits up and walk around the room, it’s hard to come up with the words to describe what just happened!

Keeping It on the Down Low

Instead of telling Mr. and Mrs. Jairus and their freshly resurrected daughter to start spreading the news of God’s kingdom, Christ does just the opposite. “Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell anyone what had happened, and then He told them to give her something to eat” (v43).

Believe it or not, this is a consistent them in Mark’s Gospel. Instead of wanting the world to know, Jesus makes a point of telling people to keep things on the down low (Mk 1:34; 7:36; 8:26).

Jesus Has a Job to Do

What’s the dealio? Isn’t Jesus all about telling as many people as possible about God’s amazing grace? But He’s early in His ministry. Remember, the Lord has just three and a half short years to accomplish His mission.

If the word gets back to the Hebrew home office in Jerusalem or Roman officials too soon, Christ will have to cut things short. But there’s much to get done before He heads for Calvary. People to meet. Sermons to preach. Demons to exorcise. Diseases to heal.

The Ultimate Game Changer

But before His earthly mission is over, our Savior will repeatedly snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. He’s the ultimate Game Changer. No matter how much time is left on the clock, Christ makes all the difference. Just ask the Jairus family.

And we should tattoo the Lord's words on our forehead.

Don't be afraid.

Just trust me.

Because it’s not over until Jesus says it’s over.