There was a little girl at her home in a town near the Sea of Galilee who was dying. We do not know her name, but her father’s name was Jairus; he was a ruler, or leader, in the synagogue, a building where the Scriptures were kept and where the people met to honor God.
Jairus must have listened to Jesus when He read the Scriptures and taught the people. He must also have seen Him heal the sick and lame, for he believed that Jesus was from God and could make his little daughter live, so he went where Jesus was by the sea and begged Him to come to his house.
Jesus was willing to go with Jairus, and they started towards his home. But so many people crowded around them to speak to Jesus or to be healed that they could not pass on quickly. Before they reached the house, messengers came to tell Jairus that his little daughter had died, and they said he need not trouble Jesus, whom they called “Master,” meaning “Teacher.”
Jesus’ Power
But Jesus knew that He could still bring joy to that home, and He went into the house with Jairus. The relatives and friends were all weeping because the girl was dead. They did not believe that Jesus had power to do anything for her. They knew He was a great teacher, but not that He was the Son of God.
But the Lord Jesus had power over even the spirit. He took that little girl’s lifeless hand in His and called to her in their language, words meaning, “Girl, arise!” Her spirit returned to her body, she rose up, obeying the voice of Jesus, and walked. Jesus told her parents to give her food to strengthen her body.
We know that the father and mother were most happy and thankful to have their child alive again; all were greatly astonished at this wonderful event. This girl may have been the first person raised from death by Jesus.
Genuine Comfort
This story gives us the same comfort in the mighty power of Jesus. But when He raises all His people, it will not be to die again, but to live forever with Him. He said, “Where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:33And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:3)).
But there are no words of comfort to any who do not believe on the Lord Jesus as their Saviour. They have no hope at death.
Further Meditation
1. Why is Jesus called “the firstfruits of them that slept,” when others, such as Lazarus and Jairus’ daughter, had already been raised from the dead?
2. What are some of the ways that Christ’s coming is a comfort to a believer whose saved loved one has died?