The Purpose of Praise
“While
Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue
leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.
Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she
will be healed.” 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. Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone
what had happened.” Lk. 8:49-56
A ruler of the synagogue, enlightened by God, begs Jesus on
behalf his daughter. The name Jairus
means, “whom God enlightens.” On the way, He is delayed as He heals a
woman. In the interim, the twelve year
old daughter dies. Jesus says, “Do not be afraid, only believe.” We are to have faith; when others are telling
us to stop or planting doubt in our mind, Jesus says, believe.
Jesus brings in his inner circle of Peter, James, and John
–they walk in faith. The take away from
this is don’t bring doubters along with us.
They will drag us down.
Jesus says to the mourners: “She is just sleeping.” The mourning turns to ridicule. Do not be surprised if our own supporters
begin to ridicule our faith.
Jesus takes the girl by the hand and said, “Little girl, I
say to you, arise.” This she did. The faith that was displayed resulted in
resurrection power. Jesus is the
Resurrection and The Life. There were 3
resurrection miracles +1 = 4! Those
resurrections included the Widow’s Son at Nain; Jairus’ Daughter; Lazarus; and
Jesus Himself. This the resurrection
power: that what was dead came come to
life; can rise up – like beauty from the ashes in our lives. We proclaim praise for a purpose: one of the
purposes is to have the Spirit of Resurrection say to that which is dead in us
– “little girl, arise.”
Some things have died in us because they had to, like our
dreams, our goals, our plans. Other
things have died because people have come along and killed them. God wants to resurrect His plan for our
lives, and to rise up His dream in us.
He also wants to take that which was stomped on in us and breathe life
into it – revive our hearts. It is time
for the 3rd day –the stone to be removed, and for resurrection power
to take hold of us. Let faith arise,
hope arise, let God’s resurrection power arise in us this day!
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