February 15, 2009: Jesus Heals Jairus’s Daughter
The text for this lesson is Mark 5:1–24, 35–43.
Key Points
- Just as Jesus by Word and touch raised the dead girl to life, so by His divine Word, Baptism, and Supper, He kills and buries death and raises us to life eternal.
- Law: “The wages of sin is death”—wages death pays faithfully and fatally (Romans 6:23). From the stillborn babe to the gray-haired grandma, death is no respecter of persons. It has its way with us all, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Thus, for the sinner, death is the ultimate defeat, the ultimate fear, the sad end to pre-hell days.
- Gospel: The glory of God is a living man. Death is the foe of God, man, and the God-man Jesus. He is not only life itself, He is a killer of death and the bestower of life. That life He gives via Hiw Word, the very Word that once crafted a living man from dust and will, one day, raise us from the dust, resurrected and re-created to live forever with Him.
Context
Jairus, as a “ruler of the synagogue,” was likely a VIP in Capernaum. Such rulers were a combination of what we would call an elder and pastor. They kept order in the synagogue (Luke 13:14), read the Scriptures aloud (Acts 13:15), and either preached or asked others to preach (Acts 13:15). This account is interrupted by the story of a hemorrhaging woman who, upon touching Jesus’ clothing, is healed (Mark 5:25–34). Ironically, both stories feature the number twelve: the daughter of Jairus is twelve years old and the woman had suffered from a bloody discharge for twelve years (Mark 5:25, 42).
Discussion Points and Questions
- How does it feel to see suffering in youth? Is this more difficult than the death of a loved one who has lived to a good old age?
- What is Jairus’s title? What exactly does he do when he meets Jesus? What does this tell you about Jesus’ reputation and standing in the Jewish community at that time?
- What do the comments of those from Jairus’s house indicate? How does Jesus counter their misunderstanding? Upon what is Jesus relying to strengthen Jairus?
- What can you say about the people “weeping and wailing loudly”? Why are they doing this? How do Jesus’ question and comment counter this commotion?
- Think about other miracles Jesus performs and who observes them. For examples, look at Mark 3:1–6; Mark 7:32–37, and John 11:33–46. Why does Jesus here send everyone outside and take only the mother, father, and His closest disciples?
- Compare the healing of the woman with the twelve-year flow of blood (especially Mark 5:25–26) with the healing of this girl who was twelve years old. What is the relationship, keeping this number twelve in mind?
- What did Jesus “charge” them with and tell them to do after the girl arose? Why did Jesus tell them to give her something to eat? Compare this with Acts 9:17–19.
- Without a doubt it is difficult, just like it was for Jairus, to face the suffering or death of a child. Yet Jesus, before He does anything, tells Jairus, “Do not fear, only believe.” What is your reaction to those words? Are they a comfort? How is the sermon in the Divine Service like these words of Jesus?
- Do you remember the explanation to the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed? What does it say about the resurrection? See 1 Corinthians 15:45–50. How is the Holy Spirit involved in the resurrection?
For next week, read Mark 9:2–10, the transfiguration of Jesus. Is this story similar to another story we have discussed? How is it different?
