TWO MOTHERS — GRIEF TURNS TO JOY

I can close my eyes and see two mothers.  One is standing beside a bed and one is walking beside the bier (A stand on which a corpse or coffin is placed.)  I can see two women tense with grief.  I can see the tears and hear their sobs.  Grief is visible and thick in the air in that room and the air surrounding the funeral procession.   

 DON’T BE AFRAID; JUST BELIEVE

A father, full of fear, searched for Jesus, as a mother stood beside the bed of their daughter.  Her heart was breaking, as her daughter lay there, still and not moving.  So many unknowns as time seemed to stand still.  Would her husband get there in time?  Would he find Jesus?  Would Jesus agree to help? 

When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake.  Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet.  He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying.  Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” So Jesus went with him. 

While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader.  “Your daughter is dead,” they said.  “Why bother the teacher anymore?”

 

Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

 

Mark 5:22-24, 35-36

 

A father, full of fear, hears hope in Jesus’ voice.  A father leads Jesus to his home. 

 

When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly.  He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing?  The child is not dead but asleep.”  But they laughed at him. 

A mother sees them coming and then hears Jesus say the child is not dead.  Only asleep.  Then why could they not rouse the child?  Why had the child not heard their voices calling her?  But Jesus sounds so sure.  Could it be?  Is there hope?

After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was.  He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”).  Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old).  At this they were completely astonished.  He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Mark 5:38-43

 

In a gentle voice, Jesus spoke two words, “Talitha Koum!”  In less than a breath, a worried, grief-stricken heart leaps with joy.  SHE LIVES! 

DON’T CRY

Each step was hard.  First her husband and now her son.  Yes, she was surrounded by a large crowd and she appreciated the support, but they would all go home.  She would go home to an empty house.  Her life has changed and she fears the change.  It was hard enough to be a widow, but she had a son to provide for her.  Who would provide now?  How would she survive?  And grief and fear made each step hard as she kept up with bier.

Who was this man approaching her dead son? 

Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him.  As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow.  And a large crowd from the town was with her.  When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, “Don’t cry.”

 

Luke 7:11-13 

Don’t cry?  Had this man ever had to say goodbye to a son?  And why is he touching the bier?

Then he went up and touched the bier they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still.  He said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!”  The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.

Luke 7:14-15

This man commanded my son to get up and he did.  My dead son sat up and began to talk.  The great compassion of Jesus gave me back my son.  And grief left her heart and was replaced with joy.  MY SON IS ALIVE!!

TWO MOTHERS – GRIEF TURNS TO JOY

I can close my eyes and see two mothers.  One is feeding a daughter and one is celebrating the return of her son from the dead.  Two women who are no longer tense with grief or sobbing.  The air now contains great joy. 

And I see Jesus walking away.  He was not believed and he was laughed at.  Those mourning were confused as to why this man stopped the processional.  I know why.  Because Jesus had great compassion for two mothers.

We will have grief.  Our loved ones are not always healed.  Life does not always go the way we want it to.  And we will not understand why and we will have tears and we will be tense with grief.  During those times, remember Jesus has great compassion and will walk through this grief with you as you hold your loved one in your very soul.  And your loved one waits to share eternity.