- The demon-possessed man - always reminds me of the Billy Crockett song about this event. Very moving.
- So this crazy guy runs up to Jesus and his followers and "bows low before Him." The picture I get is of Jack Nicholson in the Shining. Had be to kind of spooky.
- Looking at the way it plays out, Jesus apparently noticed him at a distance and called to the spirit to come out of him before the man ran up to him.
- Then Jesus demanded that he give his name.
- Poor pigs.
- "And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone."
- So He left.
- But the picture of the man, now in his right mind wanting to go with Jesus seems very tender. "No, go home to your family and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been."
- All the way home the man told everyone he met.
- How tiring must it have been for Jesus to be constantly around needy people - giving.
- The Jairus encounter is moving on several levels. A father's desperate plea - a woman's last chance - and Jesus once again noticing people in need.
- "daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over."
- So the man with the daughter is standing there - what is he thinking? is he charitable about the woman's need being met, or is he thinking "my daughter is dying."?
- And now the news comes that she is dead. They told the father directly but Jesus overheard. The father's heart must have broken at the news, but Jesus said "Don't be afraid. Just have faith." I cannot imagine the range of emotions in the father's heart.
- The crowd was already beginning to react to the news and Jesus stopped them and made sure He took only those He wanted with Him to the home.
- The wailers and mourners already had begun their work when Jesus arrived. "Why all this commotion and weeping? The child isn't dead; she is only asleep."
- The crowd laughed AT HIM. Not sure that's going to be something they wanted to answer for later in judgment.
- But maybe by the force of His personality or sheer force of will He forced them to leave.
- Jesus then took the girl's mom and daddy and the three disciples and went upstairs and taking her hand in His said to her "Little girl, get up." How many times have we done that with the boys when they were little, smiles on our faces anticipating another day of joy. Jesus gave this girl many more days of joy.
- Everyone was blown away by what happened and it seems that they had trouble getting a grip until Jesus spoke again and told them not to spread the news of what happened and to get the girl something to eat.
Baffles me how much the disciples saw during Jesus' ministry and still seemed to harbor doubts about Him. Just how many times did they need?
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