One of the synagogue officials named Jairus *came up, and on seeing Him, *fell at His feet and *implored Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live.” And He went off with him; and a large crowd was following Him and pressing in on Him. A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse— after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. For she thought, “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.” Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. Immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My garments?” And His disciples said to Him, “You see the crowd pressing in on You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” And He looked around to see the woman who had done this. But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction.” While He was still speaking, they *came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the Teacher anymore?” But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, *said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.” And He allowed no one to accompany Him, except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They *came to the house of the synagogue official; and He *saw a commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing. And entering in, He *said to them, “Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep.” They began laughing at Him. But putting them all out, He *took along the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and *entered the room where the child was. Taking the child by the hand, He *said to her, “Talitha kum!” (which translated means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” ). Immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded. And He gave them strict orders that no one should know about this, and He said that something should be given her to eat.

Mark 5:22-43

Dear God, according to this telling of the story, he didn’t even let anyone else go to Jairus’ house with him besides Peter, James and John. I’ve never had this thought before, but I wonder if he left the other nine disciples behind to keep everyone else from following him. Why did he take three of them? Why these three? I suppose he needed witnesses and maybe even a little bit of physical presence beyond being alone against mourners who were about to get angry with him.

Of course, I’m completely guessing on all of this. What I do know is that Peter, James and John had front row seats to this miracle. I wonder how they reacted internally when this happened. I suppose witnessing something like this would either inspire me and completely affirm my decision to follow Jesus or it would scare me and I would take off. Why do I get the feeling that it would have scared me?

Father, these three men were put into a unique situation. I cannot imagine seeing what they saw and then being asked to do what the were asked to do. I’m grateful for all of them. These events shaped who they became in the early church. You are shaping me too. Please shape me into the man you need me to be.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen