I like making things easy for my kids. Things are tough in
this world, and part of my job as a dad is to make things a bit easier. And,
what is easier than… “a tie for Christmas!”
I wear a tie three or four days a week. I am reliably
informed that this places me outside the mainstream of culture at this point;
but, let’s face it, I pretty much live there.
I’m not sure why I wear a tie. By any real measure, a tie
has little function. I have, in the past, used it in emergencies as a napkin,
but I have since learned the errors of my way. Ties just… are. They hang there
and don’t do anything. Someone, somewhere thought that they “dressed up” an
outfit, but I’m not sure how. And, worse yet, historically they date back to
the French (my English-snobbery is showing!). Why the tie? Who knows? It is
(or, increasingly, was) just part of our culture.
A lot of our cultural practices, I am sure, have meaningful
historical significance; but in the present, just seem to be there “just
because.” This is, of course, not simply endemic of our culture—Every society
has its cultural practices which perhaps do not make much sense even to those
who practice it. In Mark 5:38, we have one such cultural tradition that, at
least on the surface, seems a bit odd.
Jesus is coming to the synagogue ruler Jairus’ house because
his daughter is very sick. You can imagine Jairus hustling Jesus along, not
wanting anything to slow Him down. Unfortunately, before they arrive, news comes
of the daughter’s death. And, as they approach the house, they hear weeping and
wailing. What you would expect given her death, except… those weepers and
wailers are not the family members, not friends. They are professional
mourners—folks paid to grieve, and to do so freely and publically. The cultural
tradition of the day insisted that, upon death, the family would hire a band of
people who would mourn for them in the streets. Like a tie, you gotta say,
“huh?”
It is these mourners who Jesus first interacts with in verse
39—“Why are you making a commotion and weeping?” Jesus seems to either be
ignoring an important cultural tradition or He is ignorant of what has
happened, that the girl has died. Or… Or, Jesus knows something that the
professional mourners do not. Perhaps He knows something about death, that His
understanding of dying, His awareness of true need is more, much more, than
those who are “skilled” at mourning.
There are, undoubtedly, many odd aspects of our culture
that, upon reflection, seem a bit off. One of the great dangers of our culture
is that it can mask the truths of the Gospel. This has always been the case,
and it will always be the case: Satan will use anything to distract us from the
truth of Jesus Christ. But we have such a Savior who will not be distracted. He
will push through our misconceptions and bring the light of the Gospel into our
lives.
If you are wearing a tie this week or not, we welcome you to
worship, to come to our Savior together! In preparation for worship this week,
read Mark 5:21-43.
1. What social rank would Jairus be in? Can you guess at
reasons why he would be viewed on the higher ranks of society?
2. In light of Jairus’ status, notice that he “fell at
Jesus’ feet and implored Him earnestly” (verses 22-23). Why would Jairus react
that way and what kind of impression would that have made on the crowd?
3. How does Jairus express faith in this passage? List out
the number of ways this happens. What are common, everyday examples of this
kind of faith-in-action?
4. Speculate on why Jesus left most of His disciples outside
the house (verse 37). Why allow Peter, James, and John to come in?
5. What does Jesus do to raise the daughter from death? How
does this hint at His salvation for us all?
