Luke 8:49-56
Do Not Be Afraid
Read the passage
49While He was still speaking, someone arrived from the house of the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he told Jairus. “Do not bother the Teacher anymore.”
50But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Do not be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”
51When He entered the house, He did not allow anyone to go in with Him except Peter, John, James, and the child’s father and mother.
52Meanwhile, everyone was weeping and mourning for her. But Jesus said, “Stop weeping; she is not dead but asleep.”
53And they laughed at Him, knowing that she was dead.
54But Jesus took her by the hand and called out, “Child, get up!”
55Her spirit returned, and at once she got up. And He directed that she be given something to eat.
56Her parents were astounded, but Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
While Jesus is still speaking to the healed woman, someone comes from Jairus's house and says that his daughter has died. There is no need to trouble the Teacher anymore.
Jesus hears the message and tells Jairus not to fear, but to believe, and she will be well. He allows Peter, John, and James to go with Him, along with the child's father and mother.
People are weeping and mourning for the girl. Jesus says she is not dead but sleeping, and they laugh at Him because they know she has died. Jesus takes her by the hand and calls her to arise.
Her spirit returns, and she gets up at once. Jesus tells them to give her something to eat. Her parents are amazed, and He instructs them not to tell what has happened.
Jesus was not mistaken about her death. His word “asleep” pointed to what he was about to do: wake a child whom the mourners believed was beyond help. Even after that extraordinary command, he attends to her ordinary hunger. The Lord who restores her life cares for the life she will now resume.
Questions
1 What news reaches Jairus from his house?
AnswerHis daughter has died, and the messenger says there is no reason to trouble Jesus further.
2 What does Jesus tell Jairus?
AnswerHe tells Jairus not to fear but to believe, promising that the child will be well.
3 How do the mourners respond to Jesus' words?
AnswerThey laugh because they know the girl has died. Jesus' claim sounds impossible to people who have seen the reality of death.
4 What does Jesus tell the parents after the girl rises?
AnswerHe tells them to give her something to eat and orders them not to spread the report of the miracle.
What This Means for Us
Jesus does not ask Jairus to pretend that death is not terrible. He meets a father at the point where hope appears to have ended and gives him a command to trust.
After raising the girl, Jesus remembers that she needs food. Trust in his power belongs alongside the ordinary care a hurting family needs: a meal, a ride, or someone to stay with them. We cannot promise another family the particular outcome he promised Jairus, but we can care for them while entrusting them to him.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, hold close the families who receive terrible news. Give us courage without denial, hope without presumption, and tenderness for the ordinary care that suffering people need. Amen.