God’s Reality vs Man’s Reality

The book of John 11 and Mark 5 have very intriguing and somehow, what seems like a conflicting messages from Jesus. At first glance, anyone reading it might think it’s awkward—but the awkwardness in it reveals the reality of the mysteries of the spiritual and spiritual sight.

It’s important to note that this was done twice by Jesus, and the Bible says:

“In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” (2 Corinthians 13:1, KJV)

If this had happened once, it might have seemed like a mistake. But happening twice means Jesus was teaching us a vital lesson about God’s perspective and man’s perspective.

Jairus’ Daughter

Mark 5 records the story of a man who came to Jesus, pleading for his sick daughter:

“And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.” (Mark 5:22–23, KJV)

But while Jesus was delayed by the pressing crowd and the healing of the woman with the issue of blood, a servant came with devastating news:

“Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?” (Mark 5:35, KJV)

Lazarus

John 11 begins with a close look into the family of Jesus’ beloved friend:

“Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
(It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)
Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.” (John 11:1–3, KJV)

In Lazarus’ case, Jesus deliberately stayed behind, not because He was delayed, but because He wanted the opportunity for the disciples—and in extension, for us—to learn from this blueprint. Because in the future, it might not be Him delaying but Satan.

“But when Jesus heard that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.” (John 11:6, KJV)

This teaches us the importance of persistent faith. Just as Daniel’s answer was delayed for 21 days by the prince of Persia, yet Daniel didn’t stop praying:

“But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me…” (Daniel 10:13, KJV)
“Cast not away your profession of faith.” (Hebrews 10:35, KJV)

Lessons from Lazarus and Jairus’ Daughter

1. Concept of Time

Jesus didn’t rush immediately when He was told Lazarus was sick—even though Lazarus was His friend. Many times, believers think that because we prayed or have been praying about something and it hasn’t happened, it means Jesus isn’t going to respond or it’s not His will for us.

Lazarus: Jesus deliberately waited two days and finally arrived there on the fourth day:

“But when Jesus heard that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.” (John 11:6, KJV)

Jairus’ Daughter: Jesus was delayed by the pressing crowd and the healing of the woman with the issue of blood:

“And, behold, a woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.” (Mark 5:25–29, KJV)

While Jesus was still on His way, a servant brought news of her death:

“Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?” (Mark 5:35, KJV)

These delays illustrate God’s timing versus human expectation: even when it seems too late, God is orchestrating circumstances for a greater purpose.

2. Change in Situation

When they first called on Jesus, the situation was still comparatively better and seemed easier to fix, as both were just sick. But Jesus didn’t get there in time until they were dead.

“Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?” (Mark 5:35, KJV)

“Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.” (John 11:39, KJV)

It’s not the condition or situation of things while you’re praying or after you’ve prayed that counts. What counts is God’s word about the situation.

3. Heaven’s Reality vs Earth’s Reality

“Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.” (John 11:11, KJV)

Here’s a situation where Jesus tried to help the people see from God’s perspective rather than man’s perspective. Yes, they were rightly seeing from their perspective, but their perspective was finite, while God’s perspective was infinite.

From their point of view, which is the limited natural perspective, Lazarus and the young girl were dead in both situations. But from God’s perspective, they were not dead.

Jesus first tried to get them to see this, but when they persisted in their natural reality, Jesus had to speak to them in their natural realm. Hence, the narrative began with Jesus saying they weren’t dead in both cases, while the Bible notes that they were dead from the human perspective.

And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? The damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. — Mark 5:39 (KJV)

And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. — Luke 8:52-53 (KJV)

These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. — John 11:11-13 (KJV)

In the case of Lazarus, Jesus had to speak to His disciples in plain language, using the term “death” rather than “asleep” to clarify His meaning.

4. Persistent Faith in the Face of Delay

Jesus stayed behind intentionally, teaching the disciples and us a blueprint to receiving from God for when we’ve prayed and things get worse. Delays may come from the opposition, but that doesn’t mean the answer will not come.

“But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me…” (Daniel 10:13, KJV)

“Cast not away your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward.” (Hebrews 10:35, KJV)

Persistent faith is required to see God’s promises fulfilled, just as Daniel and the faithful in Hebrews 11.

Comparison of Jairus’ Daughter and Lazarus

1. Who called Jesus / When they called Him

• Jairus’ Daughter: Jairus, ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet:
  “And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet…” (Mark 5:22, KJV)

• Lazarus: Mary and Martha sent a message:
  “Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.” (John 11:3, KJV)

2. Delay before Jesus arrived

• Jairus’ Daughter: Jesus was delayed by the pressing crowd and the healing of the woman with the issue of blood. (Mark 5:24–29, KJV)

• Lazarus: Jesus deliberately stayed two more days before going, saying:
  “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” (John 11:4, KJV)

3. Jesus’ words vs people’s words about death

• Jairus’ Daughter: Jesus initially encouraged faith:
  “Be not afraid, only believe.” (Mark 5:36, KJV)
  People said:
  “Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?” (Mark 5:35, KJV)

• Lazarus: Jesus spoke to Martha about faith:
  “Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” (John 11:40, KJV)
  People said:
  “Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.” (John 11:39, KJV)

4. How Jesus told them to believe

• Jairus’ Daughter: “Be not afraid, only believe.” (Mark 5:36, KJV)

• Lazarus: Jesus emphasized belief in Him as the resurrection and the life. (John 11:25–26, KJV)

5. People’s reaction / crying

• Jairus’ Daughter: Mourners were weeping and wailing:
  “And they laughed him to scorn.” (Mark 5:40, KJV)

• Lazarus: Martha and Mary wept; many Jews also wept with them. (John 11:33, KJV)

6. How Jesus raised them

• Jairus’ Daughter: Took the girl by the hand:
  “Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.” (Mark 5:41, KJV)

• Lazarus: Called with a loud voice:
  “Lazarus, come forth.” (John 11:43, KJV)

Closing Remark

Faith works upon the principle of instituting God’s will on earth regardless of what we see or feel. Faith is a supernatural currency that gives access to the superimposition of God’s reality over man’s fact.

“Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10, KJV)

Faith is not the denial of earthly facts, but the acceptance of God’s reality over man’s reality—and the superimposition of that divine reality upon human limitation.

Two stories in Scripture highlight this profound tension: the raising of Lazarus (John 11) and the raising of Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5). At first glance, the words of Jesus in these passages may appear awkward, even contradictory. But in truth, their awkwardness unveils the mysteries of who God is and how He sees things and how we should see things, too..

We must not be discouraged when situations worsen, when delays occur, or when people around us seek to dissuade us. Just as the servant came to Jairus saying his daughter was dead, others may tell us it’s over—but Jesus’ advice remains:

“Be not afraid, only believe.” (Mark 5:36, KJV)

It’s not over unless God says it’s over. Even when circumstances seem final, faith perseveres, trusting that God’s reality supersedes human limitation.

Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega:

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8, KJV)

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” (Revelation 21:6, KJV