A Girl Awakes from Death

Dead Things Come Alive!

Someone came from Jairus’ house and told him, “There’s no need to bother the Master any further. Your daughter has passed away. She’s gone.” When Jesus heard this, he turned to Jairus and said, “Don’t yield to your fear. Have faith in me and she will live again” (Luke 8:49-50 TPT).

Twelve years! What seemed like an eternity to one woman struggling with disease was just a short time for Jairus seeing an infant grow up to become a promising preteen. No doubt she was very special to her father, for he’s the one who came looking for Jesus when she became sick. 

After fretful, fear-filled days of fever and worsening conditions, the girl showed no signs of recovery. In the passing hours, Jairus began to understand he was going to lose his special daughter if something did not change quickly. They had tried everything. No treatment, potion, or poultice had made any difference in her condition, as her breathing became more shallow in the hours leading up to his decision of desperation. 

As the leader of the local synagogue, no doubt Jairus had heard about the itinerate teacher from Nazareth, Jesus, and the reported miracles that He did. He may have even witnessed these events firsthand. Previously, Jairus had questions about Jesus, “Is he from God? Are his words true? Are these miracles real?”

Now, Jairus was willing to try anything that promised help and healing to his precious daughter. He found out where Jesus was last seen, and rushed there to find a massive crowd of curious and desperate people thronging the teacher. Forgetting manners, Jairus pushed through the crowd, elbowing his way to the place where Jesus was speaking. Urgently, he pleaded for Jesus to come to his home. Both Matthew and Mark recorded Jairus confessing faith in Jesus’ ability to heal his daughter, “Come and put your hand on her, and she will live” (Matthew 9:18 NKJ).

Even when messengers came from home to tell Jairus that his daughter had died, Jesus extended hope, “Don’t yield to your fear. Have faith in me and she will live again.” The miracle was on the way to his house!

​Let that same confession be our confidence, “Have faith, and resist fear.” Dead things come alive when Jesus comes to your house!


Theme passage:
“For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives” (Romans 6:4 NLT).