Part 3: “Arise”
While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”
And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.”
And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.
And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat. Mark 5:35-43
Closing out the Mark Sandwich (see previous bLOGs for explanation) are Jairus’ people. They report that his daughter is dead, and there is no need to bother Jesus anymore. Jesus’ response,
“Do not fear, only believe.”
That same belief that drove Jairus to Jesus in the first place, and the faith that gave a sick and ritually unclean woman the strength to risk the crowd to touch Jesus’ garment, is now invoked by Jesus.
The final scene involves the inner circle, two parents, an emotional unbelieving group of mourners, and the body of a dead twelve year old. Out of nowhere comes an Aramaic command with translation by Mark in Greek;
“Talitha cumi” (Little girl, I say to you, arise)
Note: Mark only provides Aramaic expressions twice in his Gospel, here and in Chapter 15. This insertion is likely a literary device strategically placed to remind his readers that this is the Messenger of the Covenant spoken of in the prophets (see Malachi 3).
The result is a resurrection story that foreshadows another that we will see in Mark 16. Only God has the power to give or reanimate life! Do you believe this?
O Logos of God,
You were there in the beginning, and all things were created through you. In you is life, and that life is the light of humanity. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it!
I pray in the name of the Triune God of Grace. Amen!
SEARCHING FOR 42 