Sermon from Jan. 28, 2024 by the Rev. Dr. Tara W. Bulger

Mark 5:21-24, 35-43

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.”

So he went with him. And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him.

While (Jesus) was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”

(Jesus) allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. When he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him.

Then 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. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

This is the Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God

The Faith Forum

I have a friend who, a couple of weeks ago, took part in a forum that included leaders from the three Abrahamic faiths, a Rabbi, a Muslim Iman, and my friend, the Christian pastor, and they were discussing the similarities and differences in the three faiths.

One of the questions they explored was, what is the primary motivation for faith in each of these three religions? The rabbi responded that the primary reason for faith in the Jewish tradition was the difference faith could make in a person's life right now. The Muslim Iman said that the primary motivation for faith in Islam is the afterlife, what happens to a person after they die. In the Muslim tradition, people believed because of the promise of the afterlife. My friend David explained that in the Christian tradition, it is both. We believe because of the difference faith can make in our lives today and because we believe in the promise of new life after death.

Both Promises Lived Out/Jairus

In our story from Mark's gospel today, we see both promises lived out. We see the difference faith can make in the life of one man desperate for his daughter to live, and we see the promise of a new life in the raised girl.

Jairus is a synagogue leader, and we already know that Jesus is a thorn in the side of religious leaders. Jesus' presence and teaching in the synagogue would not have been appreciated. In addition to that, there was always a concern that the Roman authorities might decide to come down hard on all Jews because of what Jesus was doing. For Jairus to have anything to do with Jesus is unlikely and, honestly, downright frowned upon because of Jairus' position. But all that changes when his little daughter is sick and near death. He comes and kneels before Jesus, asking for help.

Creation/Demons/Disease/Resurrection?

Previously in Mark's gospel, we have been learning who Jesus is by the things he does: we know that Jesus has authority over the created world when he calms the storm while he and the disciples are in the boat; we learn Jesus has authority over demons, in the healing of the Gerasene man with a legion of demons; and right before this passage, Jesus has shown that he has power over disease when he heals the hemorrhaging woman. We wonder, does Jesus have the ability to overcome death too?

Do Not Fear, Just Believe

When Jesus and the others are on their way to Jairus' house, word comes to them that the girl is already dead. I imagine upon hearing the news that Jairus felt dead too—but Jesus tells him, "Do not fear, only believe." Jairus' belief in who Jesus is saves Jairus from despair. I am unsure what Jairus expected that Jesus would do—did he hope for healing? Upon hearing of her death, did he even imagine resurrection? The text doesn't tell us, but we know that believing in Jesus gives him the courage to place one foot in front of the other and make his way toward his daughter. That's what faith does; to believe in Jesus is not to know the outcome but to believe that, in some way, Jesus will enable us to walk our way through any situation that will come. It is the assurance that in this life, Jesus helps us day by day, minute by minute if necessary, never leaving us and always making a way for us in the midst of difficulty.

Little Girl Get Up

When they arrive at the house, Jesus sets everyone outside except for her mother and father and Peter, James, and John—because not everyone is helpful in this situation. And then Jesus says to her those beautiful words, "Talitha cum," which is sometimes translated as, "Little girl, it is time to get up." Jesus raises the girl new life out of the pain of death.

Every Day and the Last Day

It is easy for me to talk to you about the help that faith gives us in our everyday lives. I am a person who lived a good portion of her life without Christ; I know that my life is richer because of my faith in Christ—in my knowledge of my belovedness, I am more loving and kind; in the teachings of Jesus, I learn better the kind of person to be. I am less selfish and self-seeking in trying to turn my will over to God. One of the greatest privileges of my job is that I often get to see the very best in people; I get to see their faithfulness and goodness.

And I believe in the life everlasting, as the Apostle's Creed says. I believe that every funeral is a service of witness to the resurrection and that there is new life after death. But it's harder to talk about. While preparing this sermon, I asked myself if I had ever heard a sermon about the promise of resurrection outside of a funeral—and I don't think I have. Part of the reason is that it is the most audacious hope to believe that this life is not all there is. Part of the reason is that resurrection, new life, or heaven, is impossible to know about or describe. All discussion of it is just trying to put words to the greatest mystery of our faith.

But this passage from Mark's gospel gives us the most beautiful scene of resurrection. It's not so much the bodily resurrection that gives me a deep sense of hope—it's those words, Talitha Cum. It's the promise that someday, in some way, after this life has ended, Jesus will extend his hand to each of us and say, "My little child, it's time to get up." And in the getting up, we are healed—of all that separates us from the love of God.

In this life, in our darkest days and even the days of joy, Jesus says, "Do not fear, only believe." And even though it is hard to talk about, and we may not know all of the mystery, we believe too that one day we will hear those words, "My little child, it's time to get up."

The kingdom of God is where there is bread for today and hope for tomorrow. Thanks be to God. Amen.