This week I want to start off with some verses, “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.” But Jesus on hearing this answered him, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be well.” 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. And all were weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep, for she is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But taking her by the hand he called, saying, “Child, arise.” And her spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given to her to eat. And her parents were amazed, but he charged them to tell no one what had happened.” Luke 8:49-56 In this passage, Jesus is going to Jairus’ house, because his daughter is ill. On the way they get caught in a crowd, as often happened while traveling with Jesus, but in the delay his daughter dies. Jarius and his messenger think there is nothing more the teacher can do, they see a wall, but Jesus sees a chance to show Jarius, his wife as well as John, Peter, and James that He is more than a teacher. He has the ultimate power over death because He is God. But Jesus does not want them to tell anyone, because it is not time yet for everyone to know that death has no power in the world and that Jesus has power over death. He wants you to know today that He has power over death and that death is not the end, it is the beginning of Heaven. We have the ability as those who live in the church age to begin our relationship with God here on earth; we do not have to wait for Heaven or have the consequence of losing the Holy Spirit. God is right here with us, He cares for us, loves us and wants to know us. In this passage where Jairus and his messenger saw a wall, Jesus saw a chance to show he was more than a teacher, that He was the Messiah. He did not just come for the Jews, He came for all Jews and Gentiles. There is an advantage to doing something in secret such as prayer or in Jesus’ case raising Jarius’ daughter from the dead. So this week I want to encourage you that when you see a wall that you do not think Jesus can help you with, pray to Him and see what He will do with your walls. Also, remember that He wants to know you and have a relationship with you before you get to heaven. The best time to start growing in your relationship with Him is the present and that would be a good New Years plan to grow closer to Him in 2021.