I'm just posting some random thoughts on what I head today.
Mark 5:22
A leader of the synagogue (ἀρχισυναγώγων) sees Jesus and he falls toward (πίπτει πρὸς) the feet of Jesus. This man approaches Jesus with complete and utter surrender and reverence.
Contrast this with another ruler in the synagogue: Luke 13:14 The ruler of the synagogue, being indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the multitude, "There are six days in which men ought to work. Therefore come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day!"
One refutes Jesus' healing and another realizes his need for what Jesus can offer.
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34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you.
36 Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
Faith (noun) and Believe (verb) -- Faith is what I have, Believe is what I do.
πίστις is the noun form, and πίστευε is the verb form.
Translated differently, but the same root word in the Greek.
From
4102 pístis (from 3982/peithô, "persuade, be persuaded") – properly, persuasion (be persuaded, come to trust); faith.
- Faith is always a gift from God, and never something that can be produced by people. In short, ("faith") for the believer is "God's divine persuasion" – and therefore distinct from human belief (confidence), yet involving it. The Lord continuously births faith in the yielded believer so they can know what He prefers, i.e. the persuasion of His will (1 Jn 5:4).
- (pistis) in secular antiquity referred to a guarantee (warranty). In Scripture, faith is God's warranty, certifying that the revelation He inbirthed <not sure that's a word> will come to pass (His way).
- Faith is also used collectively – of all the times God has revealed (given the persuasion of) His will, which includes the full revelation of Scripture (Jude 3). Indeed, God the Lord guarantees that all of this revelation will come to pass! Compare Mt 5:18 with 2 Tim 3:16.]
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Peter, James, and John are the only ones allowed to come with Jesus and the parents to the place where Talitha <thats the name I use for her> is healed. A little later Mark records that the twelve are sent out and given power over demons. After seeing her raised, the parents probably came to realize that Jesus truly has the power of God. I think that Jesus used this moment to give those disciples a little spiritual boost as well.
I like to compare this to Elijah in I Kings 17 when God raises the widow's son. The widow states, "NOW I know that your God is the Lord of everything!" Paraphrased of course, but Talitha's parents must have felt the same way. I think God used this moment to prepare Elijah for what was to come next: calling fire down upon wet logs and igniting them. Elijah is very bold in the challenges he makes to the priests of Baal. I think the disciples were given this same kind of spiritual boost.
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Amazed. Literally to stand outside.
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