March 3: Raising the Daughter of Jairus
♫ Music:
Thursday, March 3
Scripture: Matthew 9:18-26
While he was saying these things to them, behold, a ruler came in and knelt before him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples. And when Jesus came to the ruler's house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. And the report of this went through all that district.
RAISING THE DAUGHTER OF JAIRUS
In the Gospels we encounter Jesus beloved but often misunderstood—famously by those nearest Him. His family’s confusion and disciples’ bickering help diagnose our own maladies. Yet every now and then, the confederacy of dunces parts to reveal individuals of breathtaking faith. Think of the centurion from Matthew 8 who astonishes Jesus with his bold, simple request: “Lord…only say the word, and my servant will be healed.”
Jairus is another. We know nothing about his background save that he was a leader at a local synagogue, suddenly confronted with the prospect of his daughter’s death. The paintings paired with today’s reading portray the stark finality of death, even in the presence of Jesus. In Repin’s Christ Raises the Daughter of Jairus, darkness largely dominates the scene. Three candles illumine the bedside and floor. But those in attendance and other details of the house are difficult to distinguish from the gloom. The second painting asserts the finality of death by inverting the element of obscurity. Rather than erasing those left to mourn, Jacomb-Hood obscures the daughter by rendering her body with pale tones that match those of her deathbed. In sharp contrast, however, Jacomb-Hood draws the eye to her brown tresses; a sad reminder of a vibrant life lately departed.
Yet Jairus rejects the death of his daughter as conclusive. He goes and interrupts Jesus, making a spectacle in his petition, and convinces Jesus to come to his house. When Jesus arrives, though, he doesn’t praise Jairus for his faith, but offers the infuriating consolation that his daughter is just asleep. The crowd responds as I imagine we all would—with laughter, probably bitter scoffing. It’s one of the few defenses against outrageous shock.
But Jesus dismisses the crowd and then, with a quiet touch, raises the girl back to life.
This story passes by so quickly it’s easy to miss that it poses difficult questions. In the midst of trial, will you allow Jesus to dismiss the consolations upon which you so often depend? Will you trust Him even when the path He calls you to seems to ignore your pain and disregard the faithfulness you’ve already shown? Will you allow Jesus to isolate you from the security and defense of your community; from those who insist that you are entitled to sorrow or anger?
Because the thing is, in this broken and fallen world, you are entitled to your sorrows and your angers, if you want them. There’s plenty to go around. But if you insist on your rights, you might never ask Jesus to redeem that which seems beyond redemption. Oswald Chambers writes, “There is actually only one thing you can dedicate to God, and that is your right to yourself.”
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, help us to seek You in times of grief and confusion. Help us to trust You even when we don’t understand Your methods or purposes. Console and comfort us when our faith staggers under the strain of trial. Enlighten the eyes of our hearts that we may perceive Your mercy and grace when You offer them to us in forms that we do not expect. Make our hearts soft and willing, that we may give up our rights to ourselves, our sorrows, and fears, and thereby receive the wonderful riches of Your Spirit.
Amen.
Phillip Aijian, Alumnus & Doctoral Candidate, UC Irvine
Artwork #1
Christ Raises the Daughter of Jairus
Ilya Repin
Oil on canvas
Russian Museum, St. Petersberg
About the Artist and Art #1
Ilya Repin (1844-1930 ) was a Russian realist painter and one of the most renowned Russian artists of the 19th century. He played a crucial role in bringing Russian art into the mainstream of European culture. During his lifetime his place in the world of art was often compared to that of Leo Tolstoy’s in literature. Tolstoy said of Repin, “He depicts the life of the people much better than any other Russian artist, ” and was praised for his ability to paint humanity with “powerful and vivid force.” Repin’s search for truth led him to an exploration of the great stories of the Bible and the spiritual experiences they revealed. True to his Realist roots, he based many of his greatest works on crucial dramatic moments in key biblical narratives as evidenced in Christ Raises the Daughter of Jairus. The Finnish/Russian border was closed in 1918 as a result of the Russian Revolution. Repin found himself on Finnish land which enabled him to continue painting his religious works. The famous Russian artist ended up donating his collection of Russian art along with many of his own works to the Finnish National Gallery in Helsinki.
Artwork #2
The Raising of Jairus’ Daughter
George Percy Jacomb-Hood
Oil on canvas
Guildhall Art Gallery, London, England
About the Artist and Art #2
George Percy Jacomb-Hood (1857-1929) was a British painter, etcher, and illustrator. He was a member of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers, the New English Art Club, and the Royal Society of Portrait Painters. He produced illustrations for The Graphic and went on various overseas assignments for the magazine. Jacomb-Hood was a member of George V’s personal staff during the King’s 1911 tour of India. Hood’s rendition of The Raising of Jairus’ Daughter depicts the compassionate Christ at the liminal moment just before he takes the young woman’s hand and restores her life.
About the Music #1
“Death Be Not Proud”
Lyrics
Death, be not proud, though the whole world fear you:
Mighty and dreadful you may seem.
But death, be not proud, for your pride has failed you.
You will not kill me.
Though you may dwell in plague and poison,
You're a slave to fate and desperate men,
So death, if your sleep be the gates to Heaven,
Why your confidence?
When you will be no more,
You will be no more,
When you will be no more.
Even death will die.
Even death will die.
Death, be not proud.
Death, be not proud.
Death, be not proud,
Cause even death will die.
About the Musician #2
Audrey Assad (b. 1983) is the daughter of a Syrian refugee, an author, speaker, producer, and critically lauded songwriter and musician. She creates music she calls “soundtracks of prayer” on the label Fortunate Fall Records, which she co-owns with her husband. She is also one half of the pop band LEVV, whose debut EP peaked at #17 on the iTunes Alternative chart. In 2014, Assad released an EP, Death, Be Not Proud, which reflected on her recent encounters with loss and suffering--including her husband’s journey through cancer and chemotherapy. Her latest recording, Inheritance was released in February of this year.
www.audreyassad.com
About the Music #2
“God Is Here”
Lyrics
In your presence, there is fullness of life,
And healing flowing, for body, soul, and mind.
God of miracles, God of the impossible is here,
God is here.
God is here,
Let the broken hearted rejoice (lift up your head).
God is here,
Let the sick say, ‘I am well’ (all sufficient One).
God is here,
Let the weak say, ‘I am strong’ (let the weak say, ‘ I am strong’).
God is here,
His wonders to perform.
In your presence, there is perfect peace.
In the stillness, I behold your deity.
God of wonders, God of power is here,
God is here.
O His wonders, yes His wonders,
His wonders to perform.
About the Musician #2
Lara Martin is a British musician, songwriter, and worship pastor. For a period of time she lived in Romania where she ministered to disadvantaged street children. She is currently based at Elim Christian Centre in Northampton, England. Her albums include Higher, Divine Exchange, God Is Here, How Loved, and Send Me. Some of Martin’s most popular songs have been included in Christian worship compilation recordings. She is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International.
www.laramartin.co.uk