Friday Scripture: Luke 8
Clear Out the Noise
------------------------
While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader.
“Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.”
Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”
When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother.
Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.”
They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.
But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!”
Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat.
Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.
------------------------
When Jesus was ready to work a miracle he did two things.
He cleared out the noise, and brought in his prayer team.
In those days it was customary to have professional mourners come in to weep and wail and carry on.
It was considered a sign of respect to have a lot of tears and sorrow when someone passed.
But it is hard work to wail and cry for days on end--especially when you are numb and exhausted.
So folks brought in professionals who could howl and cry without ceasing.
We still have professional mourners today.
We call them CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, Talk Radio, and the rest.
They weep and howl and carry on 24/7/365.
Not even Jesus can work a miracle over all that noise.
Clear out the noise and bring in the prayers.
Then get out of the way.
Jesus is going to do something amazing.