City Life Starter

Written by Scott Fiddler

The Word

49 While he was still speaking, someone from the ruler’s house came and said, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.” 50 But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” 51 And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child. 52 And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” 53 And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” 55 And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat. 56 And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.

Luke 8:49-56 (ESV)

Reflection

One of the things we learn as trial lawyers is how to reframe an issue so the judge or jury will see the facts from our client’s perspective.

As an example, I work on both sides of non-compete cases. Sometimes I represent the former employee who is accused of competing in violation of his non-compete contract. Other times I represent the former employer suing to hold the departed employee to his contractual obligations. Almost always, the enforceability of the non-compete agreement (whether it is “reasonable”) is an issue.

If I am representing the former employee, I might frame the issue around the freedom to work and the importance of free market system. If I am representing the former employer, I might frame the issue around the importance of the integrity of contracts.

In both situations, the enforceability of the non-compete agreement will need to be determined, but the way I have framed the issue for the employee makes enforcing the contract less important, while the way I framed the question for the former employer makes the enforceability of the contract more important.

The Lord is relentless in reframing the issue of death for us. The account of Lazarus is an example. Jesus was told Lazarus was sick and was asked to come and heal him. In fact, Lazarus had already died, but Jesus, even knowing Lazarus had died, initially told his disciples Lazarus had “fallen asleep” (John 11:11-13). 

The Apostle Paul repeatedly referred to a Christian’s death as sleep. See I Thessalonians 4:13-14 (“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope”); I Corinthians 15:20 (“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”). 

Luke, in describing the death of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, does the same thing when referencing death. See Act 7:60 (“And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep.”)

Application

And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.

Luke 8:52 (ESV)

When Jesus tells the mourners of Jairus’s daughter that she was asleep in the passage of Scripture above, He was doing the same thing: He was reframing the issue of death from God’s perspective.

He was not playing make-believe or distorting the definition of words. The girl was dead. Luke 8:55 (“And her spirit returned…”). Yet, from the perspective of God, who has defeated death, death is no more final than a good sleep. 

Prayer

Thank You Lord Jesus that by Your life, death, and resurrection You have removed the sting of death. Amen.