Mark 5:21-43 ~ told them

Mark 5:21-43

21 And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea.

22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 23 and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” 24 And he went with him.

And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. 25 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” 29 And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”

36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly.

39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.”

40 And they laughed at him.

But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”

42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.

43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.


Jesus has taken a busy day and sorted out, among many God sized miracles, to only allow Peter and James and John, sons of Zebedee, to attend the 12 year old daughter's healing. If you visit Capernaum today, you will find an archaeological pillar with the names of Zebedee and John. This is a 2nd century Synagogue, so it's entirely possible these are descendents of this Zebedee's family. Or, it is because of Jesus, an ancient pillar of the earlier pillar is repeated. However, we know the sons of James and John have a faith-filled and very pushy mother who has asked Jesus her sons will dwell right up next to Jesus in Heaven. And we find the Bible records Zebedee and not the mother James and John record their Jewish faith through.

Jesus and the Bible are remarking on faith and rewards. Zebedee gets the approval nod.

Why would Jesus take James and John to this healing? Peter is going to be the literal rock, of the yet to be created, Church. Pretty apparent why Peter is joining Jesus. Peter joins the Church forever after

1939, when Vatican workers were preparing the burial place of Pope Pius XI. The new pope, Pius XII gave permission to excavate this area for finding archaeological evidence supporting evidence of the centuries-old belief St. Peter was buried beneath the main altar of the basilica.

Excavations were quiet during the Second World War, and went on during the 1940's and 1950's. Major discoveries were made. Beneath the current altar of Clement VIII (1584) was found the earlier altar of Callixtus II (1123) and below that one, the still earlier altar of Gregory the Great (590). Beneath the altar of Gregory they discovered a monument built by the emperor Constantine between 321 and 326. This monument enclosed yet another one dated to the second century. Here was found a red plaster wall covered with graffiti about Peter matching his home in Capernaum, beyond and beneath which was a first-century tomb. All of this directly below the main altar of the basilica. And kept intact by one rock roof.

When you can see the very top of the Mountain you find incredible detail.

Upon this rock ... I will build my Church. Several of the massive mountains in Yellowstone have God carved ledges, making them appear as if a Castle of God is just beyond what the eye can see.

The evidence convinced Pius XII to announce to the world on Christmas Eve, 1949 the tomb of Peter had been discovered. New excavations were carried out in the early 1960's, led by Dr. Margherita Guarducci, a professor at the University of Rome and an expert in the interpretation of ancient writings. One contained two Greek words: PETROS ENI, which Guarducci translated as PETER IS WITHIN. This discovery, of course, strengthened the claim for the tomb of Peter. These bones were analyzed and found to have belonged to one individual, as opposed to other bones found in the cemetery pertaining to more than one person. This individual was judged to be an 62 year old male of heavy build about five feet seven inches tall. Hebrew descent. Missing his feet, the way Peter had died. In addition it was found that the encrusted soil found with the bones dated to the first century. In short, this discovery led Pope Paul VI to announce to the world on June 27, 1968, that the bones of St. Peter had been discovered. The remains of Peter were brought to the hospital room of John Paul II after his attempted assassination in 1981.

We can well understand why Peter was included.

And John lived to ripe old age in the 2nd century on Patmos. But why James, the brother of John? He was the 2nd Disciple to have died a martyr. Why would Jesus include James on this secret mission of raising a child from the apparent dead?

John tells us he is the Beloved Disciple. A best friend to Jesus. Jesus certainly knew the fate of Peter and told Peter. Jesus takes James to witness the child rising up - similar to Martha in John 11. James is going to know " he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” John has now been one of three men to understand Jesus raises the dead. James is with him. All John's very long life, John has the assurance of knowing Jesus has included James to see the resurrection of the dead before James passes on.

Jesus has had a very busy day in Mark's Gospel's 5th Chapter.

After the 3:15 p.m. Old Faithful Geyser erupted. The cloud above the Geyser was wonderfully angelic.

Why is the daughter carefully listed as 12 years old? Kosher would find a young woman has to be at least 15 years old to be of marriage age. She cannot easily survive childbirth any younger. This young child is loved as she is, not of priority and privilege and marriage placements. Just as Zebedee's name is remembered and his wife's is not, this young child is sought to be healed - for love. She is merely a child. A loved child. Her father has broken rank to find Jesus. She returns to her parents to be nourished and cared for.

 And all of God's Works are Deliberate. Archaeology and the records of the Disciple's lives hold the Truth of the Gospel and the Good News of Jesus Christ.



Abba,

Your Gospels tell us You are the Way, the Truth and the Life. We will hold on to You and Your Truth and go with You. We lift up those we love, the people You have give us. And rest our days and cares with You.

To see life with eyes of faith and  moving in our lives as our Journey is Your Plan. Amen in Jesus.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †