In the second of our meditations this week about those Jesus raised from the dead, we are reminded from the outset, that death is no respecter of persons. It can ‘knock’ at any door’, and at any time. Are you prepared for that prospect?

The ruler of the synagogue’s daughter
Mark chapter 5 verses 22-24; 35-43

The first person we meet in this incident is a man of significant standing in the local community, i.e. he is one of the rulers of the synagogue, called Jairus. Holding a high position in religious circles does not guarantee us immunity from the tragedies that sin has brought into God’s world; indeed, neither does age. Jairus’s daughter, who is, is just 12 years of age! His faith is truly remarkable as he approaches Jesus. He understands that she is ‘at the point of death’, i.e. death is a certainty. He is expecting more than healing for her; indeed, he was expecting resurrection! His initial message to Jesus, reveal his immense faith in him: ‘Come and lay your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she shall live’, verse 23. There was absolutely no doubt in his mind that the entrance of the Lord Jesus into his daughter’s life would make a real difference. Those who came from his house to announce the death of his daughter did not share his faith. They concluded, ‘Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?’ The Saviour’s words were clear and comforting: ‘Do not be afraid, only believe’, verse 36. He silenced the mourners with the words, ‘The child is not dead but sleeping’, verse 39.

For the Christian, death can be thought of as sleep. The moment we close our eyes in death, we wake to a new life on the other side of the grave. All this is possible, because Jesus not only died on the cross for our sins but He rose again from the dead.