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

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Making God Touchable
Article by Phil Ware
Have you touched someone in the name of Jesus, lately? Phil Ware talks about making God touchable and how we share the touch of Jesus with others.

Illustration

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

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, April 4, 2024

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Passion and Truth in Praise'
"Dear Beloved, Today you will read two powerful passages of praise. The first one is from Paul's letter to the Colossians. The second is from Paul's....."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'God Truly Cares' (Lk. 12:28-30)
"And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so...."
Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Acts 1:8
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'The Storm Died Down' (Ps. 107:28-31)
"You called out to GOD in your desperate condition... He quieted the wind down to a whisper, put a muzzle on all the big waves. And you were so glad..."

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.

More What Jesus Did!