A Bible Story pt. 3 (cont.)

35While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus. He was the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher anymore?" [Do you think Jairus was caught up in the moment with Jesus and this woman He's healed? Do you think he's forgotten about his own daughter? Has he just been consumed with concern for his own daughter and impatient with Jesus for taking so long and for getting distracted with other needs? Do you think Jairus was really irritated with this pushing crowd of people or just happy that Jesus was slowly making his way towards his house?]

36But Jesus didn't listen to them. He told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid. Just believe." ["Afraid" and "believe" are ideas that have already been woven into this story.]

37He let only Peter, James, and John, the brother of James, follow him. [I wonder why...] 38They came to the home of the synagogue ruler. There Jesus saw a lot of confusion. People were crying and sobbing loudly. 39He went inside. [Imagine this scene. Imagine you're there. Imagine it's your home. Are there children there?] Then he said to them, "Why all this confusion and sobbing? The child is not dead. She is only sleeping."[Audacity! Pure audacity! The nerve of this man!] 40But they laughed at him. [How do you think Jairus felt when all these people laughed at the teacher he had brought to heal his daughter?]

He made them all go outside. He took only the child's father and mother and the disciples who were with him. [I wonder why...] And he went in where the child was. 41He took her by the hand. Then he said to her, "Talitha koum!" This means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!" 42The girl was 12 years old. Right away she stood up and walked around. They were totally amazed at this. [There's a way this is almost an understatement. It's almost anti-climactic.] 43Jesus gave strict orders not to let anyone know what had happened. [I wonder why...] And he told them to give her something to eat. [Scott did a good job pointing to this yesterday. If she's going to stay alive, she's got to eat!]

It's not that God always answers the "why's" so much as I think the asking in itself forces us to take the risk of going after God in a way we wouldn't if we didn't ask. It gives God opportunity and maybe the ears of our heart are cocked to listen and hear.