Mark 5:38–43 (ESV) — 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

I am continually challenged both by the tenderness of Jesus, and the completeness of His care for us. What a Redeemer is it we serve.

One would think it enough that He raised this little girl from the dead. But look at how He is mindful of not turning her into a spectacle. He puts everyone out of the room except for her parents and 3 of His disciples. Jesus does none of His miracles like a circus act, like so many claiming these powers today. This is a little girl. The text says she is only 12. The last thing she needs when being raised is to be gawked at by a crowd who have no regard for her own feelings and the amazement which will fill her heart. She has been through the trauma of death, and then the glory of resurrection. But she is not turned into a spectacle. He protects her so tenderly.

Look too at how he took her by the hand when He raised her. She was not alone in that startling moment, but touched by the hand of the One whose power holds the universe together and keeps the planets in their orbit. This sovereign, Master of all, takes her hand Himself. Tenderly and sweetly He provides assurance in this most confusing hour.

And then note how Jesus is concerned for her immediate and basic need of food. He knows hers and our EVERY need. But this need He does not meet Himself. Instead He does it through the ministrations of others. How our Lord puts in our paths those who will supply at His behest, what we need. We may not see Him in the moment, but we can be sure He is the one behind our needed provision.

He meets her spiritually, psychologically and physically. Nothing is left untouched. So too He is a complete Savior to us. He is mindful of everything which concerns us – and He is faithful to provide. Some things, He does absolutely by His own touch – and other things, He meets through the careful ministrations of others. But in all, He considers our every need, and leaves none of them unattended to.

What a Redeemer it is we serve.