The Faith that Defeats Death

While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened (Luke 8:49-56).

Before His lesson about the kind of faith that makes us well was concluded, Jesus was interrupted by a terrible report of the death of Jairus’ daughter. The crowd’s natural response was to believe the negative report and urge Jairus to stop harassing Jesus. But Jesus responded with a command for both Jairus and the crowd… “Do not fear”. When they arrived at Jairus’ home they were met by a full funeral service in progress with mourners confirming that his daughter was dead. Jesus issued His second command… “Do not weep”. The crowd’s laughter also confirmed the girl’s death. With a touch and a call the dead girl’s spirit returned and she was alive again… “Child arise”. Today, as we discover the truth behind three of Jesus’ commands, we are exhorted to grow in the faith that defeats death.

Jesus says do not fear. One of life’s most immobilizing fears is the fear of death. Some live in constant fear of dying while others believe each day is a step closer to glory. Some wish they could live forever while others look forward to real life beyond this physical world. What we believe about life’s beginning, end, and purpose makes all the difference in our attitude toward death. Jesus said we should not fear physical death. He echoed this truth elsewhere… “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul” (Matthew 10:28). With these words Jesus implied that death is not the final end of life, that there is life after death. The Spirit affirms this truth through the writer of the epistle to the Hebrews… “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Jesus wants His disciples to replace fear of death with faith that this temporal life is preparation for eternal life.

Jesus says do not weep. He wants us to know death is a transition between temporal and eternal life. With His second command Jesus added the words “she is not dead but sleeping”. He described the step between temporal and eternal life as sleeping. We do not know how long the period of sleeping is, but scripture reveals that it is short in duration. Jesus told the believing thief on the cross that he would join Him in Paradise on the very day of his death… “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43). The Spirit inspired Paul to encourage us with the truth that passing into glory is an almost instantaneous event… “Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). The Spirit teaches that it is only the body that sleeps in the ground… “The dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7). The Spirit inspired words “her spirit returned” encourage disciples to replace weeping with joyful faith that our born again spirit is always in the sovereign, caring hands of the Lord.

Jesus says child, arise. If it’s true that Jesus Christ is the ultimate caretaker of our lives, spirit, soul, and body, then death is a part of His sovereign plan to usher us into the glory of eternal life. Just as the spirit of Jairus’ daughter obeyed His command to return to her earthly body, all who believe Jesus’ words are promised eternal life… “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life” (John 5:24). The Spirit affirms the truth that Jesus accompanies us through death and into eternal life like a good shepherd in David’s famous Psalm… “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). Jesus wants growing disciples to replace fear of death with faith in His promise of eternal life.

As we grow up into Christ we look beyond this temporary life and death as we mature in…

The Faith that Defeats Death.