Arise, little girl
“Talitha kum!” Mark 5:41
Arise, little girl – When we read this story, we may be surprised that Mark and Luke include the Aramaic phrase in their Greek texts. This is not their usual practice. In fact, there are only a few occasions where Aramaic is transliterated into the New Testament. We see it when Jesus addresses his Father as Abba and when Jesus quotes Psalm 22:1 from the cross. This account probably came from Peter’s recollection. But Peter did not view this sentence as unusual at all. Peter spoke Aramaic. They all did. What makes it unusual is not what happened on that day, but why it was kept in the original language. And that presents us with a subtle but deadly mistake. We might unintentionally think that these were “special” words.
Faith is the combination of the mysterious and the sublimely rational. We will never understand the full workings of the Father and the Spirit in the process of redemption and renewal. It contains, as Paul reminds us, a great mystery. But just as this mystery conceals some of God’s handiwork, God has also chosen to reveal great portions of His plans. Faith is not blind. It is the most reasonable, logical and confirmed truth we have. It is sin that is illogical and irrational. God’s character embraces truth and truth just makes sense.
Nevertheless, the mysterious element of faith has driven many to include magic secrets in their view of God. In the first century, there were many Greek “mystery” religions. They survived because they claimed to have “secret knowledge” about the workings of the universe, much like astrologers and mystics do today. There is a built-in appeal about secrets. Secrets elevate those who know into the category of the elite, the initiated. Secrets bait the trap of arrogance. I know something you don’t; therefore I am better than you.
The history of human religions is filled with magical secrets. And if we are not very careful, we will fall victim to this seduction. We will begin to use “special” words as though they contained power in themselves. “In the name of Jesus.” How often have we heard that phrase proclaimed as though it were mystical ointment insuring success? “Jehovah-Jireh”, “In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost” and “By the power of His name”. All wonderful words. Not a single one magically endowed. It is not the words that matter. It is the person behind the words.
How easy it is to let the words become our pathway to glory instead of quiet humility. How many leaders retain their power through secrets? How often have we been guilty of managing information in order to control? Are we ready to let our words be just the ordinary stuff of life, offered up to God for His use? Or are we looking for a way to bolster self-image by arrogant aggrandizement of the facts? Do we try to keep the “magic” in the words, or do we let the words point to the Man behind them?
(For more on this verse, see my book Jesus Said To Her)
