A Girl Raised to Life

From: Messages of God's Love: 1944

Mark 5

There was a little girl in a home in a town near the Sea of Galilee who was dying. Her name is not told, 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, and also to 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 to 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.

But Jesus knew that He could even then bring joy to that home, and He went on into the house with Jairus. The relatives and friends were all weeping because the girl was dead, and 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.

At death, the spirit which is within us, and we cannot see, leaves the body. The father and mother of that girl loved her, and wanted her with them, but they could not call back her spirit. (see James 2:26,²⁶For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:26) Eccl. 12:7⁷Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. (Ecclesiastes 12:7))

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 father and mother were most happy and thankful to have their child alive again: and all were greatly astonished at this wonderful event.

This girl may have been the first person raised from death by Jesus.

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,

“That 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).

“The Lord Himself shall decend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” 1 Thess. 4:16,17,18¹⁶For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: ¹⁷Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. ¹⁸Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:16‑18).

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.

ML 02/06/1944

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