What Jesus Did! 'Just Asleep' — Mark 5:38-39

Thursday, April 4, 2024

When [Jesus and the others] came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw much commotion and weeping and wailing. He went inside and asked, "Why all this commotion and weeping? The child isn't dead; she's only asleep."
— Mark 5:38-39 NLT

Key Thought

One of the ways early Christians spoke of the death of believers was to say that they had "fallen asleep." While I am not sure the disciples quite yet believed that death was only sleep for one who follows Jesus, we sure notice the promise in Jesus' statement, "The child isn't dead; she's only asleep." [1] Whether or not the disciples who witnessed this miracle made the connection, most of us see the Lord's statement as a promise that death cannot hold us! In the presence of Jesus, death becomes mere sleep as believers await the dawn of their Lord's glorious and triumphant coming.

[1] 1 Corinthians 15:51-55; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15.

Today's Prayer

O Lord God, thank you for sending your Son to destroy the power of death over us. Help me truly to believe that at its worst, death is no more than a peaceful sleep until we are awakened with the dawn of your Son's return. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Hebrews 2:14-15
  • 1 Corinthians 15:57-58
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

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Illustration

Illustration of Mark 5:38-39 NLT — "Why all this commotion and weeping? The child isn't dead; she's only asleep."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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