Somewhere in the press of people, a frantic father searches for an opening. This desperate grieving man has one last outrageously hopeful plan.
There he is!
He pushes through the mass of people surrounding Jesus, falls on his knees and pours out his faith – My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her and she shall live!
Submissive, Jesus and his disciples follow him home.
When Jesus entered the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the noisy
crowd, he said, "Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at
him.
Jesus dismisses the mourners!
After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the
hand, and she got up.
It just has to end this way, doesn’t it? I don’t mean just for this man’s little girl, but for everyone who has faith in Jesus.
In the end, what benefit is a Teacher who can change our hearts to be more like His if it all ends in a grave?
By raising this little girl to life, Jesus foreshadows His intention to conquer death for every one of us. And in this dramatic scene demonstrates His power to do it!
Dismiss the mourners! This story is not over!
If I could only touch the hem of his garment...
ReplyDeleteMaybe my eyesight would improve
and I would see people as He sees them.
Maybe the callouses of my heart would melt away,
and I would have more compassion
Maybe my mind would open,
to the understanding of His ways
and my human and selfish thoughts would fade.
Maybe I would see clearer the will of God
and desire to follow in His footsteps more.
Maybe I could see through peoples actions
and see their broken lives,
and reach out toward them,
rather than react to them.
Maybe my excessive pride would fall away
and I could mend fences
rather than build walls.
Maybe the bleeding
of self righteousness would stop
and I would heal with His grace and mercy!
If only I could touch the hem of his garment...
The Teacher is no longer here in the flesh,
wearing a garment with a hem.
But if I draw close and learn from Him,
He can heal my broken spirit.