Mark 5:40-43 “After he put them all out, he took the child's father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!"). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.”
Jesus has now endured firmly in His faith in the face of the mockery of the people. He has reinterpreted the setting by declaring God’s perspective of this situation in opposition to man’s. He has encouraged the faith of the Man who is wrestling to believe. The atmosphere is ripe with confrontation as He speaks against the emotional outbursts coming from a people who are not looking to God. The setting is still hot with emotion and even anger at His rebuke but Jesus does not stop there. Faith compels Him on!
Intensely focused on the conviction that is governing His heart concerning Jairus’ daughter, the Lord adjust one final aspect of the atmosphere around Him. He kicks everyone out! Jesus recognizes that the people who have gathered are stuck in their negative mindset and rather than argue with them over a right point of view He simply cleanses the atmosphere. Argument or contention would have simply prolonged the agony of the parents, deepened their sense of loss and pain and allowed for their grief to more completely take over their perspective. As a result Jesus immediately removes everyone who present so that they cannot hinder the work of God with their unbelief. This is fascinating in the light of how many people would seek to draw attention to themselves through their miracle working; not Jesus. Jesus’ goal is the restoration of the daughter and He allows the miracle to be the message.
After sending the others away, Jesus brings only the parents of the child and His disciples with Him into the room with the child. Jesus demonstrates a model for faith building. The room is now full with more people who believe than there are people who don’t believe. Jesus has changed the setting sufficiently so as to create an atmosphere of faith and agreement. He has encouraged the father’s faith and brought along three men whom He knows will stand with Him on behalf of this young girl.
Now that the setting is right Jesus wastes no time but simply goes over to the girl, takes her hand and instructs her to get up. There is no show, no drama, just a simply gesture and a confident command! With both parents standing by in amazement the little girl rises from her bed in obedience to the Lord and begins to walk around the room. Jesus has now mentored to new witnesses in one short experience, for certainly both parents will become a voice of affirmation to the ministry of Jesus.
The final statement regarding this miracle is rather fascinating for the way it stands in opposition to conventional thinking. Verse 43 tells us that Jesus gave strict orders to the family not to let anyone know about this miracle. He then moves on to another region to continue His ministry. No celebration, no hype! No line up of miracles that were done. Simply the restoration of a child to her family and a message to all who would not believe through the visible witness of a child that once was dead who now walked amongst them again. The message of God was clear. The authority of Christ was even clearer. And the miracle itself became a silent witness to all who were gathered in mourning that day.
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