Jairus was a prominent synagogue leader. Depending on the evangelist's account, he approached Jesus to visit his home as his twelve year old daughter had either just died or was near death. The account is told in each of the synoptic gospels: Mark 5:21-43, Luke 8:43-56, Matthew 9:18-26. All three tell the story with the interruption along the way of Jesus healing the poor, exhausted woman with the longtime hemorrhage.
One art historian says that Polenov has created a sublime atmosphere here. Sublime means elevated or awe-inspiring. He also says, "Christ is an august figure." That means distinguished. But while we are looking at the figure of Jesus, we want to be mindful that the artist has placed seven figures in this room capturing the state of mind of each.
We also want to remember that Vasily Polenov spent a long time in the places where these things happened — where Christianity started up. He wanted to get as close to the historical Jesus as was possible. And so he shows us an ordinary home, with two small tables holding household items. There's a towel drying on the wall and a small oil lamp burning along the top right edge of the room. We see a splendid blanket, big pillows, a decorative rug and a parchment attached to the wall, no doubt a reminder of God's presence.
Jesus has just spoken the words, "Little girl, arise." She is a sweet and natural girl, but pale, as if life had left her body. As is often his custom, Jesus has courteously taken the girl by the hand, to lift her up. He is depicted without a halo, though instead of casting a dark shadow, there is a soft light around him reflected on the stone wall.
The girl's mother is just realizing what has happened — not yet having rushed to embrace her child. The father, filled with delight, stands with his hands on his hips — a kind of "Well, what do you know," gesture. The apostles, Peter, James and John are wide-eyed and slack-jawed. Like the morning light streaming in through the doorway and the curtain, it is just beginning to dawn on them what has occurred.
But of course, if all I do is admire this picture and the gospel account, I have consigned it all to the museum, turned it into a bit of easily neglected history. These gospels are not about the past, nearly so much as they are about right here and right now. So...
Jesus, raise me up too.
Raise me up to my true life.Raise me up beyond my dread.
Raise me up to awe and wonder.
Raise me up to authentic discipleship.
Jesus, raise us up.
Raise us up beyond ice-veined hatred,
the hatred du jour,
especially of the validated kind.
Raise us up beyond paralyzing fears.
Raise us up beyond associations with violence.
Raise us up from the lies we tell ourselves.
Jesus raise us up.
Raise us up beyond the fevered imaginings.
Raise us up beyond vanity and narcissism.
Raise us up beyond victimized blaming.
Raise us up from every trace of supremacy thinking.
Jesus, raise us up.
Raise us up and out of the bubble-world.
Raise us up from self-protectionism.
Raise us up from posturing,
crackpot theories and
in-house propaganda.
Raise us up from self-inflicted harm.
Jesus, raise us up.
Raise us up from the suspicion of others,
the loss of love thy neighbor,
and the cyber world that hurts,
and breaks hearts.
Raise us up from the thingdom come.
Raise us up from arrogant defiance.
Raise us up from the pride of "Let me tell you," talk.
Jesus, raise us up.
Raise us up to honor the sacrality of our planet.
Raise us up to a verifiable solidarity with others.
Raise us up to take heart.
Raise us up to see each human face.
Jesus, raise us up.
Raise us up to the gracious spirit.
Raise us up to learn again good will.
Raise us up to learn again trust.
Raise us up to a smiling heart.
