Jesus Saw, 14

~ Jesus Christ Restores a 12-Year-Old Girl’s Life ~ 

General Comment  ~  When Jesus saw there was always an appropriate reaction and in each case we can learn from the event.

Today’s Scripture  ~  “When Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, He said to them, ‘Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.’  And they ridiculed Him.  But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose.  And the report of this went out into all that land” (Matthew 9:23-26). 

“While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, ‘Your daughter is dead.  Why trouble the Teacher any further?’  As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, ‘Do not be afraid; only believe.’  And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.  Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly.  When He came in, He said to them, ‘Why make this commotion and weep?  The child is not dead, but sleeping.’  And they ridiculed Him.  But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying.  Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, ‘Talitha, cumi,’ which is translated, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise.’  Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age.  And they were overcome with great amazement.  But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat” (Mark 5:35-43, cf. Luke 8:40-42, 49-56).

Application  ~  While Jesus Christ can, and has, restored physical life today He is primarily in the business of providing spiritual life—through the “born again” process or the second birth.  All mankind is given physical life, and we each have the opportunity to appropriate spiritual life which is only available due to the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary.

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’  Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old?  Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’  Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Do not marvel that I said to you, “You must be born again.”  The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes.  So is everyone who is born of the Spirit’” (John 3:3-8). 

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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