Laughable Exceptions

S - "While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from Jairus' home and said, “Your daughter has died! Why bother the teacher anymore?” Jesus heard what they said, and he said to Jairus, “Don't be afraid, merely believe!” Jesus did not let anyone go with him except Peter and the two brothers, James and John. They went home with Jairus and saw the people crying and making a lot of noise. Then Jesus went inside and said to them, “Why are you crying and carrying on like this? The child isn't dead. She is just asleep.” But the people laughed at him. After Jesus had sent them all out of the house, he took the girl's father and mother and his three followers and went to where she was. He took the twelve-year-old girl by the hand and said, “Talitha, koum!” which means, “Little girl, get up!” The girl got right up and started walking around. Everyone was greatly surprised. But Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened. Then he said, “Give her something to eat.”” Mark 5

O -  The tragedy Jairus hoped to prevent happened anyway. In the face of earth's most crushing inevitabilities Jesus tells him (man, father and community leader) to refuse fear and merely believe. Later, with death in full bloom, he tells a crowd of mourners to think and act differently about the little girl's condition. They suspend their grieving long enough to laugh at Jesus and his ridiculous conclusions. In the end everyone but Jesus is surprised. He is the resurrection. He is vibrant irrepressible life. With him nothing is impossible.

A - These dynamics play out repeatedly on earth. Jesus' thinking and living is very different from the way earth trains its own. From daily bread to demons and from inevitabilities to impossibilities he calls all to his very different ways. "Then Jesus started telling people, “Change your thinking! The kingdom of heaven has come near. (Matthew 4)" "I tell you for certain we know what we are talking about because we have seen it ourselves. But none of you will accept what we say. If you don't believe when I talk to you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I talk to you about heavenly things? (John 3)" Will I accept and pursue the transformed thinking Jesus calls us to? Will I believe him about earth and not just about heaven? I'll join Jairus and put my confidence in Jesus.

P - Lord who is eternal, resurrection life,

I admit my desperate need for transformed thinking on a daily and hourly basis. I will believe you about earth and not just about heaven. I am so very grateful that you and all your kingdom is very near. You lead and I'll follow.

Merely believing,

Steve