Waiting for Jesus, part 24: Standing Amazed

He, however, took her by the hand and called, saying, "Child, arise!" And her spirit returned, and she got up immediately; and He gave orders for something to be given her to eat. Her parents were amazed; but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened. (Luke 8:54-56 NASB)

The word translated here as "amazed" is existēmi, and (according to Vine's) literally means "to stand out from" or (BLB) "to throw out of position". The phrase "out of his mind" comes from this word. You might well imagine that Jairus and his wife were "out of their minds" with joy, surprise, and delight at the miraculous healing of their daughter. 

This idea of "thrown out of position" is intriguing, isn't it? To fully understand, we have to look at the position they were in before. Jairus was a synagogue official, so he had considerable standing and influence in the community. As his wife, Mrs. Jairus would have been a leading citizen as well. She would have been active in charitable and religious organizations, a doer of good deeds. To be active in church and civic organizations is not the same as having a personal and intimate relationship with the Almighty One, however. We don't know what their faith was like, but we do know that they had not found the answer to their great need, and had turned to Jesus. 

With two words, "Child, arise," Jesus healed the little girl and threw her parents completely "out of position". Neither civic nor religious positions, prestige, or community standing mattered beside the miracle they had just seen. They were utterly, totally amazed by what Jesus had done. Only Jesus had the power to raise their daughter from the dead. They would never forget it, and they would never be the same. 

When we experience the divine power of Jesus, we are amazed, but we are also "thrown out of position" because we are never the same again.  Doesn't that have an exciting sound? Never the same again. It implies something new, something fresh, something wonderful. It is what the power of Jesus can do. He makes all things new, including us!  (Rev 21:5)

Have you been "thrown out of position" by the power of God? Have you been utterly amazed by Him?  If not, do what Jairus did. Take your need and your fear to Jesus, offer it to Him without reservation, invite Him to do what only He can do, and wait until He moves. He won't just surprise you, He will transform you!