Mark 5:40 – 43

⁴⁰ And they ridiculed him. But he threw them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and entered where the child was. ⁴¹ He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,”[1] which means, “Little girl, get up!” ⁴² And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years old). At this they were ecstatic.[2] ⁴³ He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

miracles and ministry

I’m struck with two thoughts about today’s reading. First, I noticed the rough way Jesus deals with the critical crowd, compared with the gentle way Jesus ministers to the little girl and her family. Both attitudes are appropriate in their context.

I also noticed how Jesus took steps to avoid letting the miracle become the message. If such a thing were to happen to my family, I would want to make it my goal to share it with everyone. But I must avoid the temptation. Manifestations of God’s power will come to all followers of Christ, but that does not give us authority to stop preaching the gospel, and concentrate on the message of the miraculous.

The gospel message is the only message of eternal significance. The Holy Spirit’s ministry of healing and deliverance and any other display of divine power among Christians must not be allowed to overshadow that message. There is power for ministry, but the ministry of the excellent message must precede and follow displays of power.

LORD, give us the courage to proclaim your gospel, and the expectation that your power will demonstrate its validity.

[1] טליתא קום

[2] εκστασις