Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” (Mark 5:36)
A man named Jairus, who was the elected ruler of the local synagogue, sought out Jesus because his daughter was dying. He believed Jesus could heal her with a simple touch of His hand, and he fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with Him to come to his home and heal his daughter. Jesus graciously agreed to go, but along the way, He paused to heal a woman who had suffered from a bleeding condition for 12 years. While Jesus was still speaking to her, men came from Jairus’ house and reported that his daughter was dead. The hope Jairus had for Jesus to heal his daughter had now turned into hopelessness. Or had it?
We see in today’s verse that when the men told Jairus not to bother Jesus anymore because his daughter had already died, Jesus told Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” To be sure, the circumstances in the life of Jairus argued against all hope. His daughter was dead. There would be no healing for his sick daughter. It was too late. Well, it was indeed too late for a healing because the girl had died. So instead of a healing, Jesus provided a resurrection from the dead. Whatever Jairus was thinking after being told his daughter was dead, he still had hope that Jesus could work a miracle. He maintained his hope in an utterly hopeless situation.
What Jesus said to Jairus then — “Don’t be afraid; just believe” — He is saying to us today. Whatever storm winds may currently be blowing into your life, look to Jesus and don’t be afraid, because the God of Hope is at work in your life. Nothing is impossible for God; and because of His great love for you, hope must be our response, regardless of what we are facing. Greater is the power that is at work within us than any power that can come against us. Let that truth give you hope in even the most seemingly hopeless situation.
Remember, God brought water from a rock, rained bread from heaven, parted the Red Sea for the Israelites to walk across on dry ground, and raised Jairus’ daughter from death to life. What miracle do you need today in your life? Don’t be afraid; just believe.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 