Key Verse: “Then he took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha
Jairus and his family were in a desperate and painful spot. Hope was quickly fading. He had approached Jesus earlier and begged Him earnestly to come to his house where his daughter lay dying. He wanted Jesus to lay hands on her so that she could be made well. So Jesus agreed to go.
However, people arrived from his house with horrible news. It was too late. The daughter of Jairus had succumbed to her illness. She was now dead. Hope was lost. There was no longer a need for Jesus to come.
Yet Jesus continued on His way to the home of Jairus. When He arrived, there was a great commotion. People were “weeping and wailing loudly” (v.38). The professional mourners had arrived. The grieving process was underway for this little girl who had passed away.
As Jesus went inside the house of Jairus, He said to the people, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep” (v.39). At this statement, the weeping and wailing quickly turned to laughter. They ridiculed Jesus. What was He talking about? She clearly wasn’t asleep. She was dead!
Kicking everyone else out of the house, Jesus took Jairus and the girl’s mother, along with Peter, James, and John, into the room where the little girl’s body laid. Jesus took her by the hand and told her to get up. “Immediately, the girl got up and began to walk” (v.42). She was no longer dead, but fully alive, walking around the house. The people were utterly astounded. This is the power of Jesus on display!
Like the situation with the daughter of Jairus, there will be times or circumstances that from a human perspective seem like all hope is lost. It may come in the form of a horrible medical diagnosis. It could be a relationship that has disintegrated or a loved one whose heart seems to be growing colder and colder to Jesus. It may be an addiction or a wound from the past that continues to haunt us. From a human standpoint, it can seem like we’ve reached the point of no return. There is no turning back. It’s over. Why bother anymore? All hope seems lost.
But it’s not over. All hope is not lost, It’s not over until Jesus says it’s over. Remember, Jesus has the power to walk up to a little girl who has died, take her by the hand, and restore her fully back to life. Stop and allow that to sink in for a moment. If Jesus has the power to do even this, then surely there is hope for our situation.
Are you struggling for hope today? Are you facing a situation where it seems like hope is fading or lost? The Apostle Paul prayed for the church in Rome, “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). May that be true of you today as well.
Prayer: Jesus, you are the God of hope. What seems like an impossible and hopeless situation to me is an opportunity for you to display your amazing power. As I turn to you today, fill me with all joy and peace. I ask for hope to overflow in me by the power of your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
