The daughter of a synagogue official had died. Jesus told the synagogue official not to be afraid but believe. Jesus then went to his house, taking only Peter, James and John.
When He arrived, the house was filled with people weeping and wailing. Jesus sent them all out except for His three disciples and the child’s parents.
Jesus then took the girl by the hand and said, “Little girl, I say to you get up!” Immediately the girl got up and began to walk. Jesus told them to give the girl something to eat and say nothing to anyone about what He had done. (Mark 5:35-43).
Later, after Jesus had been crucified, resurrected and had ascended, Peter was called to Joppa, a city on the Mediterranean coast, because a beloved Christian woman named Tabitha had died.
When Peter arrived, the people in the room were weeping and wailing. Peter sent them all out.
After he had prayed, Peter to the dead girl, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes and sat up. Peter gave her his hand and raised her up and then presented her to her family and friends. (Acts. 9:35-42).
I don’t know if Peter knew why it was necessary for everyone to leave the room or if he understood why he was to speak to the dead woman rather than merely praying for her, but I’m almost certain he did things that way because he had seen Jesus do the same thing when Jesus raised the synagogue official’s daughter from the dead.
This is the very essence of discipleship: hanging with someone farther along than you and watching. In a discipleship relationship so much more is conveyed than the linear transmission of information that occurs in a classroom. It’s the best way to learn.
Are you a disciple? GS