Awakening

Pastor Rich Lusk observed in a sermon that the name “Jairus” (Mark 5) means “Yah awakens” (yah ‘ur). Others have suggested an etymology that connects ”-rus” with the verb “to give light – “Yah illumines.”

Both fit with the baptismal symbolism of the passage. Jesus comes to a dead daughter, touches and brings her to life, and then demands that she be fed.  It’s a baptismal illumination, a baptismal awakening. 

At every baptism, Jesus comes near to touch, to awaken in water and Spirit, to say “Get up, sweetheart, breakfast is ready.”